King and Queen to Host Stanley Tucci Ahead of Italy State Visit
King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to host actor Stanley Tucci ahead of their Italy state visit, where they will meet Italian leaders and Pope Francis. The formal dinner, marking the upcoming visit, will take place at the royal Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire.
Details of the Italy State Visit
Scheduled for April, the visit includes engagements in Rome and Ravenna, aligning with the King and Queen’s 20th wedding anniversary on 9 April. Buckingham Palace confirms the visit, indicating King Charles’s health stability as he continues cancer treatment. During their stay, the royal couple aims to fortify relations with a key European partner, although full itinerary details are yet to be disclosed. For more on royal engagements, visit BBC .
Stanley Tucci’s Role in the Royal Event
Stanley Tucci, known for presenting “Searching For Italy,” will deliver a speech at the Highgrove event. An American of Italian descent, Tucci brings personal connections to Italian culture, despite having faced throat cancer that altered his sense of taste. The event will also feature Italian Ambassador Inigo Lambertini.
Chef Francesco Mazzei will prepare an Italian menu, emphasizing “slow food” principles using local ingredients. Mixologist Alessandro Palazzi will craft cocktails with Italian flavors, enhanced by Highgrove-grown herbs.
King Charles’s 18th official visit to Italy highlights his long-standing passion for art, culture, and religion. Previous encounters with Pope Francis, including during the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman, set the stage for their meeting during this special jubilee year in 2025.
Celebration and Historical Reflections
The Italy visit coincides with a significant anniversary for the King and Queen. Their 2005 wedding date was once altered due to Pope John Paul II’s death, with Prince Charles attending the funeral in Rome. This upcoming visit promises moments of reflection as “Pilgrims of Hope” during the Catholic Church’s jubilee celebrations.
