King Charles and Queen Camilla have released new photographs to mark their 20th wedding anniversary later this week, with the couple smiling and looking relaxed in images taken soon after they arrived in Italy for a state visit.
They posed for pictures in the gardens of the Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence in Rome, with the Queen wearing a lily of the valley brooch, a symbol of enduring love.
Ambassador Lord 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 international uncertainty, the visit is part of the UK’s post-Brexit “reset” in reinforcing links with European allies.
“This state visit comes at a key moment,” said Lord Llewellyn, “as we reset our relations with our European partners”.
There had already been reports of “royal fever” and the Italian public valued the King and Queen’s enthusiasm for their history, culture and cooking, said Lord Llewellyn, speaking to reporters ahead of the visit.
“Their love for Italy… and all things Italian resonate deeply here,” said the ambassador, predicting a warm welcome ahead of the trip to Rome and the historic city of Ravenna.
The state visit was originally intended to include the Vatican, where the King had been due to attend a service in the Sistine Chapel, but that had been postponed because of the ill-health of Pope Francis.
The Pope seems to be recovering, appearing in St Peter’s Square at the weekend, but so far there are no plans for a private meeting, although there has been speculation a meeting would appeal to both sides if possible.
The state visit is going to be an intensive set of engagements and follows a recent “bump in the road” for the King’s health.
He had a brief stay in hospital after suffering side effects from his cancer treatment, but was well enough to return to a series of engagements last week.
Ambassador Lord Llewellyn said he was confident the trip by the royals – described as “Carlo and Camilla” in the Italian press – would leave a “meaningful and broad legacy”.
The royal couple’s wedding on 9 April 2005 was held at Windsor Guildhall.