King Charles and Queen Camilla have posed beside an ailing Pope Francis, with a fresh picture released by Buckingham Palace.
The King and Queen are currently on a State Visit to Italy and visited the Pope at the Vatican on Wednesday, which coincided with Their Majesties' 20th wedding anniversary.
The Royal Family captioned the post: "Che occasione speciale!
"A special moment for Their Majesties as they privately met His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican yesterday.
King Charles and Queen Camilla pose beside ailing Pope Francis as fresh picture released
Vatican Media
"The King and Queen were deeply touched by The Pope’s kind remarks about their 20th wedding anniversary and honoured to be able to share their best wishes to him in person."
The royal couple were both wearing black in the photograph, with the Queen bending to greet the pontiff while the King stood clutching a red box.
During their meeting at the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis wished the royal couple a happy anniversary, as they celebrated 20 years married yesterday. They also exchanged gifts.
News of the meeting was released late last night and a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "Their Majesties were delighted The Pope was well enough to host them - and to have had the opportunity to share their best wishes in person."
Queen Camilla dazzled at the banquet to mark her 20th wedding anniversary with King Charles at a glamorous state banquet in Rome on Wednesday eveningGettyIt is understood that the Holy Father issued the invitation for a private audience with the King and Queen after their State Visit had to be postponed after doctors said the Pope needed rest following his recent illness.
Pope Francis, 88, returned to the Vatican on March 23 after spending five weeks in hospital battling a life-threatening bout of pneumonia.
During his hospitalisation, medics feared he “might not survive the night” and doctors say he needs at least two months of rest at his residence.
On Sunday, he made a surprise appearance at St Peter’s Square, briefly appearing in a wheelchair with an oxygen tube under his nose.
Queen Camilla and King Charles will also spend their anniversary in ItalyReutersLATEST ROYAL NEWS:
King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving in Italy on MondayReuters"Hello to everybody," he said, waving to cheering crowds. "Happy Sunday to all of you, thank you very much."
The King and Queen are understood to have visited the Pope after they returned from the Italian Parliament yesterday afternoon.
Discussions continue about an official state visit to the Vatican.
