King Charles III and Queen Camilla are set to embark on a state visit to Italy and the Vatican from April 7-10, despite Pope Francis’ recent illness. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the trip will proceed as planned, with engagements scheduled in Rome and Ravenna.
The visit holds significant religious and diplomatic importance, particularly in strengthening ties between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which King Charles is the Supreme Governor. The King had sent a private letter to Pope Francis during his illness, and a recent Vatican-released photo suggests the 88-year-old pontiff is on the path to recovery.
A key highlight of the visit will be the King’s meeting with Pope Francis. In addition, King Charles will attend an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel. In a historic first, he will also visit the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls, a site with strong connections to British monarchs dating back to the Anglo-Saxon era. Kings of old played a role in funding and supporting the basilica, where Saint Paul is buried. This visit will symbolize reconciliation and the intertwining of history and faith.
Beyond its religious significance, the state visit underscores the strong diplomatic relationship between the UK and Italy. King Charles will meet with Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, becoming the first British monarch to address both houses of the Italian parliament. The royal couple will also be honored at a state banquet.
Military ties will also be on display, with a joint flypast over Rome featuring Italy’s air force and the UK’s Red Arrows. In Ravenna, the King and Queen will visit the tomb of the revered Italian poet Dante Alighieri. Queen Camilla will also tour a museum dedicated to the poet Lord Byron, highlighting the historical literary connections between the two nations.
Adding a personal dimension to the trip, the visit coincides with the King and Queen’s 20th wedding anniversary. To mark the occasion, King Charles recently hosted a dinner at Highgrove, inspired by the culinary tastes of American-Italian actor Stanley Tucci.
This visit reinforces the shared history, culture, and values between the UK and Italy, further strengthening ties between the two nations and the Vatican.
