On that date – April 10, 2023 – King Charles and Queen Camilla were concluding their own four-day state visit to Italy. That year, they marked their anniversary and their country’s rich cultural history by ringing in a colorful 2019 with a number of jubilant celebrations. The royal couple waved farewell as they left Forli Airport in Ravenna. They returned home to a very different country from the one that had first welcomed them with open arms and jubilant ceremonies. Their extensive, collaborative itinerary included meetings with leading Italian figures, cultural excursions, and a deeply moving commemoration of Italy’s cultural heritage.
Her visit, which started on the evening of April 7, was a remarkable mixture of formal protocol and warm personal touch. King Charles deeply engaged with the local culture during a tree-planting ceremony. He made his wishes for green, sustainable development known while at Villa Wolkonsky, the home of the U.K.’s ambassador to Italy.
Celebrating Cultural Heritage
During his visit to Italy, King Charles I glorified Italian history. To express his gratitude, he visited the Basilica di San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. These iconic sites, renowned for their stunning mosaics dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, reflect the rich artistry of Italy’s past.
King Charles stated, “Well I do hope that I shall live long enough to see a little bit of growth in the tree,” referring to his planting of a tree in the gardens of Villa Wolkonsky. This act embodies environmental stewardship and his wish for deep-rooted connections between the U.K. and his home country of Italy.
The royal couple met with Mayor Fabio Sbaraglia at a reception in Ravenna’s town hall, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the town’s liberation from Nazi occupation. In this way, the WHA event underscored the value of historical remembrance in building global relationships.
Engaging with Italian Leadership
On April 9, King Charles was invited by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Rome’s Villa Doria Pamphilj. The key to their conversation were the mutual values both parties had, notably environmental stewardship and sustainable practices in agriculture.
Massimo Bottura, a renowned chef, remarked on the significance of these discussions: “King Charles shares our commitment to environmental stewardship, ecology, and sustainable agriculture.” Bottura made special note of how these values complemented Italy’s rich gastronomic heritage, especially when it comes to the production of Parmigiano Reggiano.
The royal couple also made their way to a glitzy state dinner, featuring heartthrob opera singer Andrea Bocelli among a phalanx of VIPs. At this year’s event, King Charles created history himself, giving a portion of his address in Italian. This was unprecedented — the first time for any U.K. head of state.
“Overall, it was very moving. The fact that he spoke in Italian was received very positively.” – Pierpaolo La Rosa
A Personal Touch
In the case of the state visit, that served as the formal engagement. It was fitting that it turned into a personal celebration for King Charles and Queen Camilla as they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. The couple shared romantic experiences throughout their travels. They eagerly awaited an amazing flyover by Italy’s Frecce Tricolori and U.K.’s Red Arrows, who painted the skies in their national colors.
Queen Camilla expressed her sentiments upon concluding their visit, stating, “We’re having a wonderful visit. We’re very sad to be going home.” This feeling summed up the acceptance and community they experienced while visiting.
Further, while in Italy, King Charles III showed just how much he appreciated and respected Italian culture. For example, he was struck that when Queen Camilla spoke to him she didn’t call him “the King.” She called him “my husband.”
“What touched me deeply was how she referred to King Charles – not as ‘the King’ but warmly as ‘my husband.’” – King Charles
Travelling through picturesque towns and villages in the region, their connection with not just locals but government officials showed a sincere appreciation of Italian heritage and culture.
“It wasn’t his paying lip service respect. You could tell it was a genuine and deep passion for everything that represents our country, our culture, our history, our traditions, our customs, and our food.” – Emanuele Loprefido