ROME — King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Italy on Monday for a four-day state visit, marking the British monarch’s first official overseas engagement of the year amid his ongoing treatment for cancer. The visit, which includes high-level meetings and a historic speech to the Italian parliament, underscores the enduring diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and Italy.
This marks the 17th time Charles has visited Italy in an official capacity, but it is his first international trip since ascending the throne in September 2022 and since announcing his cancer diagnosis earlier this year. The royal couple’s arrival in Rome also coincides with their 20th wedding anniversary, adding a personal dimension to the royal itinerary.
Royal visit coincides with milestone anniversary
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s arrival in Italy comes on the anniversary of their marriage on April 9, 2005. Their wedding followed a highly publicized period in the royal family and took place the day after the funeral of Pope John Paul II—a service that Charles attended while still the Prince of Wales.
Now, nearly two decades later, the royal couple returns to Italy under vastly different circumstances, with Charles reigning as sovereign and fulfilling a symbolic and diplomatic role for the United Kingdom abroad.
The king’s planned meeting with Pope Francis, initially expected during this trip, has been postponed due to concerns over the pontiff’s health. Vatican officials announced in late March that the meeting would be rescheduled after the pope spent more than a month recovering from double pneumonia. The 87-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church has since returned to the Vatican but continues to limit his schedule.
Longstanding ties with the Vatican and Italy
King Charles has visited Italy on numerous occasions over the decades, building strong diplomatic and cultural connections. He met Pope Francis during earlier visits in 2017 and 2019, and had previously met Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, also had an official audience with the Vatican during the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year in 2000—her third papal meeting during her reign. These engagements reflect the mutual respect between the Holy See and the British Crown, despite historical and theological differences between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.
Charles, as king, also serves as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England—a ceremonial role with significant religious heritage that underscores the importance of his interactions with other religious leaders, including the pope.
Meetings with Italian leaders and a speech to parliament
On Tuesday, King Charles and Queen Camilla will be welcomed by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The meeting is expected to include discussions on bilateral relations, climate cooperation, and shared cultural initiatives.
Later in the week, the king will meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Following the meeting, he is scheduled to deliver a speech before the Italian parliament—a first for a British monarch. The address, which will take place before a joint session, is being hailed as a historic moment for UK-Italy relations.
According to Buckingham Palace, Charles’s speech will highlight common democratic values, the importance of environmental stewardship, and the need for international cooperation in a time of global uncertainty. It is expected to draw on his decades-long advocacy for sustainability and interfaith dialogue.
The choice to address lawmakers in Rome is seen as a significant diplomatic gesture, reflecting the monarch’s evolving role in modern geopolitics and the UK’s efforts to strengthen European alliances post-Brexit.
Visit to Colosseum and World War II memorial in Ravenna
As part of the state visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla will also visit Rome’s iconic Colosseum—a symbol of Italy’s ancient history and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit underscores the cultural diplomacy aspect of the royal tour, aimed at celebrating historical ties and shared heritage between the two nations.
On Thursday, the royal couple will travel to Ravenna in Italy’s northeastern Emilia-Romagna region. There, they will participate in a commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the city’s liberation from Nazi occupation during World War II. The event will pay tribute to the Allied forces, including British troops, who played a key role in freeing the region in 1944.
The visit to Ravenna serves as a poignant reminder of the deep historical bonds forged between Britain and Italy during the Second World War, as well as a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the fight against fascism.
A delicate balance between duty and health
While the king’s visit is packed with diplomatic symbolism and ceremonial significance, it also comes at a time of personal challenge for the monarch. Charles revealed earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer, prompting a reduced public schedule.
Despite his health concerns, the king has remained committed to key constitutional and ceremonial duties, participating in events and receiving foreign dignitaries where appropriate. The Italy trip, however, marks a notable return to international diplomacy, signaling that he remains actively engaged in representing the United Kingdom on the global stage.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Charles’s medical team approved the itinerary and that adjustments have been made to accommodate his treatment schedule.
Strengthening European ties in a new era
This visit to Italy is also seen as part of a broader effort to reinforce European diplomatic ties amid a changing international landscape. With Britain’s departure from the European Union still reverberating through foreign relations, the monarchy has become an increasingly important soft-power instrument for fostering goodwill.
Royal tours, once considered largely ceremonial, now play a strategic role in UK foreign policy—providing opportunities to reinforce bilateral cooperation, support British interests abroad, and maintain historical connections.
For Italy, the visit reaffirms its importance as a close cultural and economic partner of the UK. For Britain, it offers a platform to show unity, history, and diplomacy in action—even as the monarch navigates personal and national transitions.
