King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to arrive in Italy for an historic State Visit. Although its his first trip to the country as Monarch, Charles III has visited Italy many times. In fact, it is a favourite destination for the Royal Family and has even played host to a special birthday.Â
In April 1951, the then-Princess Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, travelled to Italy for a holiday and a milestone.
Although it was a quick trip, the then heir to the throne had lunch with President Luigi Einaudi at the Quirinale and had a private audience with Pope Pius XII at the Vatican.
The couple also spent time with Prince Philip’s first cousin, Queen Helen of Romania, in Florence.
Elizabeth was not only there for meetings, though. Like many other tourists, she visited the Colosseum for a tour. Elizabeth and Philip also took time to drive the Appian Way, a Roman road that dates back to the third century BC and is now a World Heritage Site. While on their road trip, the couple were able to visit hunting kennels and see a horse race.Â
But the holiday also saw the future Elizabeth celebrate her 25th birthday. Her birthday party took place at another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hadrian’s Villa. The sprawling ruins are the remains of Emperor Hadrian’s complex built in the first century AD.Â
It would be a special celebration and historic, too, for it was the final birthday Elizabeth II had before she ascended the throne on February 6 1952.
