Royal warmth: Charles and Camilla charm Ravenna on a historic visit
Thousands of people cheered in the main square of Ravenna to celebrate the British royal couple, who concluded their four-day visit to Italy in this historic city. It was the king's first visit to this location, even though he had visited Italy 17 times.
The British royal couple spent the last day of their visit to Italy in Ravenna. This city, considered a gem of architecture and art, hosted the monarchs for the first time, even though King Charles had visited Italy 17 times already. In the Emilia-Romagna region, they were accompanied by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, and his daughter Laura.
During this trip, Charles III and Camilla celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. On Wednesday, they met with Pope Francis in the Vatican, which was a special event for them. The Pope, recovering from an illness, extended his best wishes to them. Buckingham Palace emphasized that the royal couple was delighted with this meeting.
The monuments of Ravenna
The visit to Ravenna is a true gift for the king and queen, lovers of Italian culture. The city has eight monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The first stop on their visit was Dante's tomb, where a canto from the "Divine Comedy" was read.
Next, the king visited the Basilica of San Vitale, known for its Byzantine mosaics, and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, which impresses with its contrast between the modest exterior and lavish interior decoration. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla visited the George Byron museum, where she met representatives from the literary world.
Meetings and cuisine
The royal couple participated in a city council meeting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Ravenna's liberation.
Along with the Italian president, Charles III and Camilla attended a ceremony commemorating the liberation of Ravenna by the Allies and partisans exactly 80 years ago. The king and queen's presence sparked unprecedented enthusiasm among Italians and tourists. Women dressed elegantly and wore hats in honour of the guests. British flags were waved in the crowd.
After their visit, they visited stalls featuring traditional specialties from the Emilia-Romagna region, known for its exquisite cuisine. Their guide was the world-renowned and award-winning Italian chef Massimo Bottura. He told journalists that the queen wanted him to be her guide. The king also met with farmers whose farms were affected by floods.
During the visit, extraordinary security measures were implemented in Ravenna's historic centre. In the late afternoon, Eastern Time, the royal couple will depart for London from Forlì Airport.
