King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited Pope Francis at the Vatican on April 10, in a meeting that symbolized solidarity during a time of personal and global challenges.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla met Pope Francis at the Vatican on April 10, marking a long-awaited moment of solidarity and mutual support.
Their visit to the Vatican formed part of their broader state visit to Italy, which also coincided with the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary. That milestone was marked with a formal banquet hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
The royal couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary with a lavish state banquet in Rome, hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
During their time in Rome, King Charles also became the first British monarch to speak before both chambers of the Italian Parliament.
King Charles made history as the first British monarch to address both houses of the Italian Parliament, emphasizing enduring UK-Italy relations, global peace, and the need for collective action in a fragile world.
The visit to Pope Francis came amid concerns about the pontiff’s health, which has affected his public appearances. The meeting was held at Casa Santa Marta, where the Pope has been recuperating following recent medical issues.
Although brief—lasting only 20 minutes—it was meaningful. The royal couple expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet him, especially under such circumstances.
“We were delighted the Pope was well enough to receive us and honoured to offer our best wishes to him in person,” said the King and Queen in a statement from Buckingham Palace.
The meeting also carried personal significance, as Pope Francis acknowledged their wedding anniversary during the audience. The Royal Family marked the event on social media with a message in Italian: “Che occasione speciale,” meaning “What a special occasion.”
A Meeting Finally Realized
The royal audience had been anticipated for some time but was previously delayed due to Pope Francis’s health setbacks. The confirmation of this rescheduled meeting came only hours before it occurred, underlining the unpredictable nature of the Pope’s recovery.
Despite his condition, the Vatican noted that Pope Francis is “gradually recovering” and welcomed the King’s visit. The encounter was particularly heartfelt, as King Charles is also undergoing cancer treatment while continuing his royal duties.
Sources said the Pope and the monarch exchanged gifts, with the tone of the meeting marked by mutual encouragement and goodwill.
A Royal Celebration in Rome
Later that evening, the Italian president hosted the royal couple at a grand banquet in the Quirinale Palace.
King Charles added a touch of humor to his address by saying, “It really is very good of you, Mr President, to lay on this small, romantic, candle-lit dinner for two…”
Among the guests were famous tenor Andrea Bocelli, chef Giorgio Locatelli, hotel magnate Rocco Forte, and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The dinner featured a refined menu, including bottoni pasta with aubergine caponata, salt-crusted sea bass, fried artichokes, and raspberry-topped fior di latte ice cream cake.
Queen Camilla added a sentimental element to the evening by wearing her original ivory silk outfit from their 2005 civil ceremony, redesigned for the event.
Addressing Parliament and Promoting Peace
Earlier in the day, King Charles stood before both houses of the Italian Parliament, becoming the first reigning British monarch to do so. His speech underscored the deep ties between Italy and the UK, weaving together themes of shared history, cultural bonds, and joint efforts toward peace.
The King’s decision to speak partly in Italian was met with repeated standing ovations. At one point, an official attempted to prematurely conclude the session, mistakenly thinking the speech had ended.
A Warm Welcome in Rome
The royal couple received an enthusiastic response from locals. Crowds turned out at iconic Roman sites such as the Colosseum and the Temple of Venus, with many calling out “Carlo!” as the couple greeted onlookers.
Their distinctive claret-colored State Bentley also caught the attention of the Italian press. To mark the couple’s anniversary, the Royal Family’s official X account posted a video of royal guards performing “It Must Be Love” by Madness, further highlighting the personal joy that accompanied their official engagements.
