The King and Queen were formally welcomed to Italy this morning with full pomp and ceremony – and a stunning city-wide flypast in Rome.

Their Majesties’ received a ceremonial welcome at the Quirinale Palace from the President of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Signor Sergio Mattarella.

He was accompanied by his daughter, Signora Laura Mattarella, who acts as the windowed president’s First Lady.

Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, were escorted by mounted Quirinale (Corazzieri) Guards as they arrived for the first major event of their historic four-day state visit, their first as King and Queen.

The British and Italian National Anthems were played as the Union Jack flag was raised on the turret of the iconic palazzo.

President Mattarella, 83, then invited His Majesty to inspect the Guard of Honour in the courtyard, consisting of the Quirinale Band, Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri and mounted Corazzieri Guards. Her Majesty remained chatting with Signora Mattarella, 58.

At the end of the courtyard, The King and President Mattarella, rejoined by Her Majesty and Signora Laura, proceeded into the Palace and onto the terrace to view a stunning flypast of the Frecce Tricolori and Red Arrows in a show of bilateral defence unity, a key theme of the visit.

The Frecce Tricolori issued red, white and green smoke, while the Red Arrows emitted red, white and blue smoke. 

The King and Queen (pictured) were formally welcomed to Italy this morning with full pomp and ceremony – and a stunning city-wide flypast in Rome

King Charles III, Queen Camilla, President of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Signor Sergio Mattarella and the President’s daughter, Signora Laura Mattarella view a flypast 

Their Majesties’ received a ceremonial welcome at the Quirinale Palace from the President of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Signor Sergio Mattarella

Following the flypast, Their Majesties returned inside the palace, escorted by President Mattarella and Signora Laura, where Their Majesties and the President presented their official delegations.

This included Foreign Secretary David Lammy and His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Italy and San Marino, The Baron Llewellyn of Steep.

The President then presented the Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Inigo Lamberini, Secretary General of the Quirinale, Ugo Zampetti and Diplomatic Counsellor to the President, Ambassador Fabio Cassese.

‘We are very lucky to have him,’ the King said of Mr Lambertini, the Italian ambassador to the UK whom he has met previously. 

The King and the President then posed for a photograph in front of the flags of both countries before a private meeting with the Queen and Laura in the President’s study, known as the Sala dei Colloqui.

Speaking through an interpreter, Charles told his host: ‘This is my 18th visit here.’ ‘And I remember having you here at the Quirinale before on your visits to Rome,’ replied the President.

After around 20 minutes of private conversation, the President presented honours to the royal couple.

The King received the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit and presented the President with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.

The British and Italian National Anthems were played as the Union Jack flag was raised on the turret of the iconic palazzo. Pictured, the flypast

President Mattarella (pictured right), 83, then invited His Majesty to inspect the Guard of Honour in the courtyard, consisting of the Quirinale Band, Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri and mounted Corazzieri Guards

Queen Camilla smiles as she attends the ceremonial welcome ceremony at the Quirinale Palace

President Mattarella (pictured right with King Charles) is the twelfth President of the Italian Republic. He was first elected in January 2015 and again, unusually, in January 2022

At the end of the courtyard, The King and President Mattarella, rejoined by Her Majesty and Signora Laura, proceeded into the Palace and onto the terrace to view a stunning flypast (pictured) of the Frecce Tricolori and Red Arrows in a show of bilateral defence unity, a key theme of the visit

The Frecce Tricolori issued red, white and green smoke, while the Red Arrows emitted red, white and blue smoke

King Charles and Queen Camilla stand with Italian President Sergio Mattarella during the state visit to Italy at the Quirinale Palace

In October 2024, President Mattarella became Italy’s longest serving President. A widower since 2012, he attends official engagements with his daughter Laura (pictured with the King and Queen)

Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, were escorted by mounted Quirinale (Corazzieri) Guards (pictured behind the King and Italian President) as they arrived for the first major event of their historic four-day state visit, their first as King and Queen

Italian President Sergio Mattarella (C-R) welcomes King Charles (C) and Queen Camilla (C-L) as they arrive at Quirinale Palace, Rome, Italy

Charles and Camilla (pictured left, today) are due to undertake a busy programme of 19 engagements over four days, flying the flag for Britain abroad and highlighting key issues including defence cooperation, trade and culture

‘It goes back quite a long way,’ said the monarch. ‘It’s just a token really of our appreciation, you’ve served for so long.’ ‘I’m humbled, your Majesty,’ he replied.

Signora Laura and Camilla then departed to view a selection of antique books on horsemanship in the Biblioteca del Piffetti and tour the State Rooms of the 16th Century palace, where they chatted to staff preparing for tomorrow’s State Banquet and carrying out repairs on tapestries and furniture.

The President and his daughter and the King and Queen were reunited to say their farewells in the Palace’s Sala del Bronzino, which is hung with magnificent tapestries designed by the Florentine artist Bronzino.

Queen Camilla was wearing a blue silk crepe dress and coat by Fiona Clare as well as a diamond and sapphire brooch that originally belonged to Queen Victoria for the outing.

Palermo-born Sergio Mattarella is Italy’s longest-serving President. He was first elected in January 2015 and again in January 2022.

He lost his wife Marisa to cancer in 2012 and since becoming President, has been accompanied by his daughter, known as Signora Laura, at official events.

Charles and Camilla are due to undertake a busy programme of 19 engagements over four days, flying the flag for Britain abroad and highlighting key issues including defence cooperation, trade and culture.

Meanwhile, no trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to the Colosseum, one of the seven wonders of the world.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose in front of the Colosseum in Rome

Even on a busy day, the King and Queen went to view the iconic amphitheatre (pictured), Camilla marvelling at the breath-taking sight of one of the Roman world’s most famous surviving structures

Although the timing of their visit had not been publicised in advance, huge crowds gathered, cheering, with school children excitedly shouting ‘He’s coming, that’s the King!’ as they spotted the police convoy make its way into the grounds of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum (pictured)

Which is why, even on a busy day, the King and Queen went to view the iconic amphitheatre, Camilla marvelling at the breath-taking sight of one of the Roman world’s most famous surviving structures.

Although the timing of their visit had not been publicised in advance, huge crowds gathered, cheering, with school children excitedly shouting ‘He’s coming, that’s the King!’ as they spotted the police convoy make its way into the grounds of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum.

As they stepped out of the State Bentley, which has been brought to Italy for the duration of the four-day state visit, King Charles, 76, turned to wave to the flag-waving crowds.

The royal couple were received by the Minister of Culture Mr Alessandro Giuli and Director of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, Ms Alfonsina Russo but they quickly made a beeline for the hundreds of people gathered to see them.

As they spent 10 minutes shaking hands with the public, which included dozens of pupils from nearby schools, the bands of the Welsh Guards and the Sassari Brigade Band played a series of tunes – including the theme song from the film Gladiator, set during the Roman Empire and featuring spectacular fight scenes at the Colosseum.

The joint musical initiative had been designed to highlight close military and defence links between Britain and Italy, one of the key themes of the visit.

Ahead of their arrival, Imogen Brown, 12 and Nancy Douglas, 12, from St George’s British International School said they were ‘really excited’ to see the King and Queen,

‘We only found who we would be meeting this morning,’ Nancy said. ‘They told us yesterday that we were meeting someone special and this morning on the bus our teachers told us it was the King and Queen.’

King Charles and Queen Camilla greet the crowd in front of the Colosseum in Rome

King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Rome

Imogen added: ‘I was really shocked that he [the King] wanted to see us and go to the Colosseum.’

Accompanied by a large entourage that included Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the King and Queen then proceeded up the stairs to the Colosseum viewing platform, on the edge of the Temple of Venus and Rome – the largest and most splendid of Rome’s temples, designed by Hadrian.

They turned to wave to the huge crowd below before posing for photographs in front of the elliptical amphitheatre that was stood in the heart of Rome for nearly 2,000 years.

Speaking moments later with a group of archaeologists, the Queen remarked: ‘The views are beautiful, beautiful.’

Dr Barbara Nazzaro, the Architect of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, then discussed the restoration works that they have been doing in the park, which currently centres on the underground passages on the arena floor.

The pair then met representatives from Rome-based community organisations including MO.D.A.V.I., an association founded in the city in 1996 to address the problem of drug addiction; Peter Pan Odv, an Italian non-profit organisation that provides accommodation and a range of free services to families that come to Rome from across Italy and from abroad to access cancer treatment for children and Differenza Donna, an Italian N.G.O.s supporting women who are victims of domestic violence and of human trafficking.

Popular Italian TV presenter and historian Alberto Angela was then introduced to the King and Queen, who explained more about Rome’s history and restoration while overlooking the Roman Forum, ruins of important ancient government buildings located a stones throw away from the Colosseum.

‘Still today, it looks impressive,’ the King and Queen were told, as they both nodded in agreement and marvelled at the archaeological site below.

They listened intently as Mr Angela explained how the once bustling heart of ancient Rome was largely destroyed by a major earthquake in the 9th century that cause significant damage to the buildings.

Before they were ushered towards the waiting convoy of vehicles by their security team, the King told Mr Angela that the restoration work that has been carried out was ‘brilliant’, while the Queen said: ‘It was lovely to be able to see this today.’

The Colosseum Archaeological Park is one of the most-visited sites in the world and includes the iconic Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, the Arch of Constantine with the Meta Sudans and the Domus Aurea.