Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark have been on a trip to Rome, Italy alongside a Danish business delegation over the past few days.
The three-day visit was to strengthen Danish-Italian ties under the theme “Italy – We Think Business.” The primary focus was on health care, urban and clean tech, and food and beverages.
Yesterday, the couple travelled to the Vatican to meet His Holiness Pope Francis, on what was the Crown Prince’s first meeting with the head of the Catholic Church, according to the Royal Danish House. The couple was accompanied by Danish Foreign Minister, Anders Samuelsen and Health Minister, Ellen Trane Nørby.
The Crown Prince Couple had a private conversation with His Holiness in the Apostolic Palace and exchanged gifts afterwards with the royals presented Pope Francis with a vase and book on Frederick VIII’s Palace in Copenhagen. The Crown Princess explained some of Frederick VIII’s Palace’s art and architecture to the Pope.
His Holiness also presented Their Royal Highnesses with several books. Afterwards, the couple told the media that they greatly enjoyed the audience and called it a great experience.
Their Royal Highnesses left the Holy See and continued their journey in Rome where the Crown Prince visited the Trevi Fountain and the aqueduct Acqua Vergine. Later, the Crown Prince Couple travelled to Hospital Bambino Gesu where they received a tour and met with patients.
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary concluded their trip yesterday.
Their next overseas trip will be to the United Kingdom to celebrate the Prince of Wales’s 70th birthday at a reception on 14 November at Buckingham Palace.
