King Charles and Queen Camilla will undertake State Visits to Italy and the Holy See in early April 2025, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The royal couple's diplomatic journey will include official engagements in both the Vatican City and the Italian Republic.
Their Majesties will meet with His Holiness Pope Francis during their visit to the Holy See.
The announcement marks the continuation of longstanding diplomatic relations between the British Royal Family and both Italian and Vatican authorities.
King Charles and Queen Camilla confirm royal tour to Italy in Buckingham Palace announcement
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The Palace has indicated that further details of Their Majesties' programmes in both the Holy See and Republic of Italy will be announced in due course.
During their Vatican visit, the King and Queen will join Pope Francis in celebrating the 2025 Jubilee Year.
The Jubilee represents a significant moment in the Catholic calendar, traditionally held every 25 years.
It is described as a special year for the Catholic Church, marked as a year of walking together as Pilgrims of Hope.
King Charles and Queen Camilla meeting Pope Benedict in 2009
PA
This continues a tradition of royal participation in Vatican celebrations, following Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's visit for the Great Jubilee of Year 2000.
The upcoming visit builds upon the King's previous audiences with Pope Francis, which occurred during his visits as Prince of Wales in 2017 and 2019.
Their Majesties will undertake engagements in Rome and Ravenna during their State Visit to the Republic of Italy.
The visits will celebrate the strong bilateral relationship between Italy and the United Kingdom.
King Charles and Queen Camilla meeting Pope Francis in 2017
PA
The King is well-acquainted with Italy, having made 17 official visits to the country since his first trip in 1984.
His most recent visit to Italy was in October 2021, when he attended the G20 Summit in Rome.
Queen Camilla has previously accompanied His Majesty on two visits to Italy, in 2009 and 2017, when they were Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
The King's connection to the Holy See spans several decades, including five visits as Prince of Wales beginning in April 1985.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla pictured in Florence in 2017
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His Majesty attended Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005 and Cardinal John Henry Newman's canonisation in 2019.
A historic moment occurred in 1982 when the King met Pope John Paul II in Canterbury during the first-ever papal visit to British soil.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made four visits to both the Holy See and Italy during their reign.
The then-Prince of Wales was received in audience by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 and Pope Francis in 2017 and 2019.
Queen Camilla, as Duchess of Cornwall, accompanied the King on Vatican visits in 2009 and 2017.
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