King Charles and Camilla mark 20 years with historic Rome visit
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary during an official visit to Rome. Their day will include meetings with Italian leaders and special events.
King Charles III of Great Britain and Queen Camilla are spending their 20th wedding anniversary in Rome, where they are on an official visit. On Wednesday, 9 April, the royal couple will meet with Italian leaders and attend special ceremonies prepared in their honour.
In the morning, King Charles III will meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Villa Pamphili residence. Then, around 2 PM Greenwich Time, the royal couple will visit the Chamber of Deputies, where Charles III, as the first British monarch, will deliver a speech to the joint houses of parliament. Media speculate that the king may also speak in Italian.
In the evening, Italian President Sergio Mattarella will host an official reception at the Presidential Palace on Quirinal Hill. During the official dinner, there will be a toast to the couple celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary.
Additionally, the management of the archaeological park around the Colosseum has prepared a special gift for the royal couple. The Temple of Venus and Rome from the 2nd century AD will be illuminated, and the word "Amor" will be projected onto its ruins.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are enthusiastically welcomed by Rome residents and tourists. Crowds gathered in the area of the Colosseum, which the royal couple toured on Tuesday afternoon. This is Charles III's first visit to Italy since his coronation.
The wedding of Charles III and Camilla
While Charles and Camilla celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, their acquaintance dates back much further. They met in 1970 during a polo match. There was an immediate spark between them at the first meeting. Palace rumours suggest that Charles's chosen one did not appeal to his mother.
However, even Queen Elizabeth II's disapproval and the marriages they had both entered did not stop them from maintaining contact. Ultimately, the lovers managed to achieve their goal. 2005 they walked down the aisle and have been together ever since.
