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Royal News

A roaring start to an historic State Visit to Italy as King Charles and Queen Camilla take a win at the Colosseum

By
8th April 2025

Twenty years ago, the forum of public opinion could be something of a lion’s den for them but on the eve of their milestone wedding anniversary, King Charles and Queen Camilla looked victorious as they visited the Colosseum in Rome.

The King and Queen spent time at the amphitheatre, in the heart of the Eternal City, as their State Visit to Italy got officially under way.

Royal Family/ Instagram

It might once have been the backdrop for gladiatorial battles but this royal event was far from a battleground as King Charles and Queen Camilla were welcomed by cheering crowds as they made like every other tourist to Rome and took in one of its most spectacular sights.

King Charles and Queen Camilla enjoyed a spectacular flypast at the start of their State Visit to Italy
(Foto di Paolo Giandotti – Ufficio per la Stampa e la Comunicazione della Presidenza della Repubblica)

There was a big turnout for the royal visitors who were greeted by music from the Band of the Welsh Guards and from the Sassari Brigade Band from Italy.

The trip to the Colosseum came after a busy start to the State Visit. The King and Queen were welcomed officially to the Quirinale Palace by Italy’s President, Sergio Mattarella, and his daughter, Laura. The King and the President inspected a Guard of Honour inside the main courtyard before heading inside where official gifts were exchanged.

Queen Camilla inspects the honours presented on the State Visit to Italy
(Foto di Paolo Giandotti – Ufficio per la Stampa e la Comunicazione della Presidenza della Repubblica)

President Mattarella was given the insignia for the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath and said he was ”humbled”. Queen Camilla shared the same reaction when she was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy. King Charles became a Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy.

Following the official welcome, The King and Queen went to the Altare della Patria where they laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The King and Queen’s wreath is carried to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
(Royal Family Instagram still/ fair use)

The State Visit will continue on April 9, the 20th wedding anniversary of King Charles and Queen Camilla. The couple will spend the day in Rome.

They also chose the city for the official portraits for their anniversary, posing there soon after touching down on April 7 2025.

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.