King Charles and Queen Camilla received heartfelt congratulations from Pope Francis as they marked their 20th wedding anniversary during a visit to Italy.
Buckingham Palace revealed that the royal couple was “deeply touched” by the Pope’s kind words during a private meeting on April 9, the day of their anniversary. The encounter, which took place at Casa Santa Marta—Pope Francis’ residence near the Vatican—was not part of the official schedule and came as a surprise, especially after the Pope’s recent health challenges.
Originally, a formal State Visit to the Holy See had been planned in conjunction with their tour of Italy. However, that visit was postponed due to the Pontiff’s recovery from a serious bout of double pneumonia, which had required a five-week hospital stay earlier this year. Upon his release in late March, doctors advised at least two months of rest.
Despite the change of plans, Pope Francis, 88, was well enough to receive Their Majesties privately. The meeting provided a special moment of connection, with Buckingham Palace later stating that the King and Queen were “delighted” to be able to share their best wishes with the Pope in person.
The royal couple’s State Visit to Italy began with a grand flypast over the Quirinale Palace and included several high-profile engagements. King Charles addressed both houses of the Italian parliament, while Queen Camilla visited local schools and cultural sites, including the historic Colosseum.
Their milestone anniversary concluded with a glittering State Banquet at the Quirinale Palace, hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter, Laura.
The royal visit wraps up on April 10 with a final stop in Ravenna, bringing to a close a memorable trip that blended diplomacy, culture, and a touching moment of personal significance. Photo by Photo by Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament; Wales, Wikimedia commons.
