Flypast over Rome in honour of King’s state visit

A flypast thundered over Rome in honour of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s state visit to Italy.

The display, involving both the UK’s Red Arrows and Italy’s Frecce Tricolori, trailed the colours of both nations’ flags as a symbol of closer military ties between the two countries.

The royal visitors – Carlo and Camilla in the local press – were also given a warm welcome by Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella in his residence at the Quirinale Palace.

The King and Queen arrived in Italy on Monday for a four-day state visit, which is hoped to help the UK reinforce its links with European allies.

The Italian president, accompanied by his daughter Laura, greeted the King and Queen in a ceremonial red-carpet welcome inside the cobbled courtyard of the medieval palace.

A military band played as they entered the palace, which over the centuries has been a home to 30 popes, as well as Italian kings and presidents.

The Queen was wearing a diamond brooch that once belonged to Queen Victoria.

On Monday, the King and Queen met Lord Llewellyn, the UK’s ambassador to Italy, at his residence for the first engagement of the trip, which coincides with their 20th wedding anniversary.

Speaking about the visit, Lord Llewellyn said the alliance between the Italy and the UK was “vital in a changing Europe, as both our countries stand steadfast in our support of Ukraine”.

The ambassador has spoken of the “intangible but priceless” value of such soft power royal visits, as the UK tries to “reset” its relations with European neighbours after Brexit.

The King and Queen will see more of Rome’s ancient monuments on Tuesday, including a trip to the Colosseum.

The visit comes after the King had recently spent a short time in hospital over temporary side effects from his cancer treatment. He looked to be in good spirits and enjoying the trip.

The King, as head of state, is in Italy on behalf of the UK government, and on Wednesday will give a speech to both houses of the Italian Parliament – the first time a UK monarch has delivered such an address.

Wednesday will also be the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary and soon after their arrival on Monday, the King and Queen had anniversary photographs taken in the gardens of the British ambassador’s residence.

They will spend the evening of their anniversary at a glitzy state banquet, where guests are expected to include politicians and celebrities.