King Charles III became the first British monarch to address a joint session of Italy’s parliament on Wednesday, marking a historic moment in UK-Italian relations. Speaking partly in Italian, the King emphasized the enduring friendship between the two nations, stating he had come to "reaffirm the deep friendship between the United Kingdom and Italy."
The address came on the third day of a state visit that also included a private meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican. Buckingham Palace confirmed the 20-minute audience, during which the pontiff congratulated the royal couple on their 20th wedding anniversary.
"We were delighted the Pope was well enough to host us—and to have had the opportunity to share our best wishes in person," the Palace said in a statement. The meeting, held at Casa Santa Marta where the Pope has been recovering, was only confirmed earlier that morning after previous plans were postponed due to his health concerns.
The Vatican released a photograph of the encounter, which the Royal Family’s official social media account shared with the caption "Che occasione speciale" ("What a special occasion"). The Pope, reportedly showing gradual improvement, reciprocated the King’s good wishes for his recovery—a nod to Charles’s recent side effects from cancer treatment.
Later that evening, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a state banquet at Rome’s Quirinale Palace, hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The event doubled as a celebration of their wedding anniversary, with the King quipping, "I must say it really is very good of you, Mr. President, to lay on this small romantic, candle-lit dinner for two..."
The 150 guests included notable figures such as singer Andrea Bocelli, chef Giorgio Locatelli, and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Queen Camilla marked the occasion by repurposing the ivory silk dress she wore at her 2005 civil wedding, designed by Anna Valentine.
In his banquet speech, the King blended humor and gravity, reflecting on the UK and Italy’s shared history—from ancient Rome to modern alliances. "I for one have never asked that question, made famous by Monty Python, ‘What have the Romans ever done for us?’" he joked, before turning serious: "We are living in a very precarious and fragile world... In difficult times, friends stand together."
Earlier, in his parliamentary address, the King received a standing ovation after urging stronger UK-Italian ties in defense of shared democratic values. "We are both European countries," he said, standing before Italian and EU flags. "Our younger generations can see in the news every day... that peace is never to be taken for granted."
He praised both nations for standing with Ukraine and highlighted Italy’s personal significance to him: "Italy is, as I hope you know, a country that is dear to my heart." Charles is only the fourth non-Italian to address the parliament, following Pope John Paul II and Spain’s former and current monarchs.
The royal visit, which began Monday, included stops at Rome’s Colosseum and a performance of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. The couple will next travel to Ravenna before concluding their four-day tour.