ROME — King Charles III touched down in Rome on Monday for a state visit to Italy, marking his first international trip since undergoing brief hospitalization due to side effects from cancer treatment. Accompanying him on this three-day visit is Queen Camilla.
During their stay, Charles is set to address the Italian Parliament, a first for a British monarch. He is also scheduled to meet with Italy’s president and prime minister. Additionally, the visit includes a journey to Ravenna to observe the 80th anniversary of the liberation of this Adriatic city by Allied forces during World War II.
While a meeting with Pope Francis was on the agenda, it has been mutually postponed due to the Pope’s recent health struggles with double pneumonia. The 88-year-old Pope made a return to the Vatican two weeks prior and made an unexpected appearance to followers in St. Peter’s Square over the weekend.
King Charles, aged 76, was briefly hospitalized on March 27 for “temporary side effects” from cancer treatment. The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed, but it was diagnosed more than a year ago. Despite this, he was seen the following day greeting supporters in central London and has since maintained his planned schedule of engagements.
In Rome, Charles aims to emphasize the strong connections between Britain and Italy, both allied in NATO, especially during a period where Europe is stepping up efforts to support Ukraine against Russian aggression. The visit will be highlighted by a joint flyover over Rome’s historic sites conducted by the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force aerobatic team, and the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows.
Furthermore, the king and queen will participate in a reception in Ravenna, located in Italy’s northern Emilia-Romagna region. The reception honors the 80th anniversary of the region’s liberation from Nazi occupation on April 10, 1945. While there, they will also celebrate the region’s culinary traditions and engage with local farmers who have been affected by recent floods in the area.