King Charles III was in high spirits as he arrived at Ciampino 31st Wing Airport – accompanied by Queen Camilla – to a red carpet welcome, as they began their 4-day state visit of Italy.

The royal couple will pack in 19 engagements during their stay and as the tour coincides with their 20th wedding anniversary on Wednesday 9th April, they marked the occasion by releasing new photographs looking happy and relaxed, in images taken soon after they touched down.

They were originally due to meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican and attend a service in the Sistine Chapel whilst in Italy, but unfortunately that part of the trip had to be cancelled due to his ill-health.

The visit comes at a time of economic and diplomatic upheaval brought about by the increasingly erratic actions of the US President Donald Trump, and also on the trip is the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, with an emphasis for him on reinforcing the UK’s close military ties with Italy.

The monarch was greeted warmly by President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter Laura, the First Lady, and can expect a full display of pomp and pageantry during his stay, and that was shown early on Tuesday 8th, with a spectacular joint flypast by both the Italian and British air force display teams.

Charles will also meet Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni and become the first UK monarch to give a speech to both houses of Italy’s parliament.

The evening of the King and Queen’s wedding anniversary will be spent at the Quirinale Palace for a state banquet.

Guard of honour

Their Majesties were treated to a military band playing on their arrival, alongside a Guard of Honour.

They were delighted to get the opportunity to share a photo on Instagram, with an accompanying caption which read: “As we begin our first visit to Italy as King and Queen, we are so looking forward to celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary in such a special place – and with such wonderful people! A presto, Roma e Ravenna!

Ambassador’s glowing endorsement

Shortly afterwards the two of them posed for pictures in the gardens of the Villa Wolkonsky – the British Ambassador Lord Llewellyn’s residence in Rome – with stunning Mediterranean scenery in the background.

Ambassador Llewellyn said the trip came at an “historic” moment and such soft power royal visits could have an “intangible but priceless” impact, in a time of a “changing Europe” and “much international uncertainty”.

He confirmed that there had been a “royal fever” building up with the public who he said: “Valued the King and Queen’s enthusiasm for their history, culture, and cooking” and made the point that there continued to be a “thriving relationship” between the two countries.

Spectacular show of unity

After a brief private meeting between Charles and President Mattarella, the King rejoined his wife – who had been shown a selection of antique books on horsemanship in the Biblioteca del Piffetti by the First Lady – and stood for the National Anthems of both nations.

They then marvelled at the sight of the Frecce Tricolori and Red Arrows – the two countries’ Air Force aerobatic teams – who performed a flypast releasing their respective red, white and green, and red, white and blue smoke, creating a spectacular sight.

Busy first full day

The King then laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Altare della Patria, before heading off to visit the Colosseum and heard about the ongoing restoration work on and around the world-famous monument.

Later they will attend a reception with members of the British-Italian community, with representatives from business, arts and culture, military and defence, and education and youth sectors.

Special day ahead

On the evening of the Charles and Camilla’s wedding anniversary the couple will be treated to a state banquet at the Quirinale Palace.

The royal pair married on 9 April, 2005, at the Guildhall in Windsor, followed by a religious blessing at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Gratitude will be on show

In the city of Ravenna, near Bologna, on Thursday 10th, the King will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the province’s liberation from Nazi occupation by allied forces, on April 10 1945. There, British and Canadian flags have flown in Ravenna Town Hall since 1946 as a show of gratitude.

Lord Llewelyn explained how there would be a special festival featuring local cuisine with a British twist such as Parmesan and whiskey. He also confirmed that Charles and Camilla will celebrate literary culture by visiting Dante’s tomb and the Queen will make a solo trip to the Byron museum.

Vital role

State visits, carried out on behalf of the UK government, are becoming even more vital as the world rapidly changes.

There is a recognition that a mix of elaborate ceremonies, meeting and greeting crowds, alongside flying the flag for business and addressing serious international diplomacy, is a great way to win, or retain important friends.