The King and Queen were given a full ceremonial welcome to Italy with a spectacular flypast of the Red Arrows and their Italian counterparts, the Frecce Tricolori, as they met President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace in Rome.
The royal couple watched from the Terrace with him and his daughter Laura, as nine British and seven Italian jets trailed the distinctive red, white and blue colours of the UK and the red, white and green of Italy. Moments earlier they had arrived in the courtyard where the anthems of both countries were played and the King was invited to inspect a Guard of Honour in the formed by the Quirinale Band, Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri and mounted Corazzieri Guards.
Inside the Sala del Bronzino, they were joined by foreign secretary David Lammy and UK Ambassador to Rome Lord Llewellyn and the President introduced the royal couple to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani; Italian Ambassador to the UK Inigo Lambertini; Secretary General of the Quirinale, Mr Ugo Zampetti and Diplomatic Counsellor to the President, Ambassador Fabio Cassese. “We are very lucky to have him,” the King said of Mr Lambertini.
The King and the President then posed for a photograph in front of the flags of both countries before a private meeting with the Queen and Laura in the President’s study, known as the Sala dei Colloqui. Speaking through an interpreter, Charles told his host: “This is my 18th visit here. And I remember having you here at the Quirinale before on your visits to Rome,” replied the President.
After around 20 minutes of private conversation, the President presented honours to the royal couple. The King received the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy and presented the President with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.
“It goes back quite a long way,” said the monarch. “It’s just a token really of our appreciation, you’ve served for so long.” “I’m humbled, your Majesty,” he replied. The Queen received Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy. “I’m very honoured and humbled,” she told her host.
Palermo-born Sergio Mattarella, 83, is Italy’s longest-serving President. He was first elected in January 2015 and again in January 2022. He lost his wife Marisa to cancer in 2012 and since becoming President, has been accompanied by his daughter, known as Signora Laura, at official events.
She and Camilla then departed to view a selection of antique books on horsemanship in the Biblioteca del Piffetti and tour the State Rooms of the 16th Century palace, where they chatted to staff preparing for tomorrow’s State Banquet and carrying out repairs on tapestries and furniture.
The President and his daughter and the King and Queen were reunited to say their farewells in the Palace’s Sala del Bronzino, which is hung with magnificent tapestries designed by the Florentine artist Bronzino.
Later the King and Queen laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Altare della Patria, Rome’s large national monument to Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy.
A military band played both the British and and Italian national anthems before the royals departed to be driven to Rome’s historic Colosseum.
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