Royal couple set for state visit and public anniversary celebrations amid ongoing royal turmoil
King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to proceed with their official state visit to Italy on Monday, April 7, just days after the monarch was briefly hospitalised due to complications related to his ongoing cancer treatment.
The 76-year-old King, who revealed his cancer diagnosis in February 2024, has continued to carry out duties in good spirits despite his health challenges. He previously embarked on a demanding tour of Australia and Samoa late last year, completing 11 engagements with Camilla at his side.
According to Hello!, the visit to Italy will also coincide with the royal couple’s 20th wedding anniversary. While they usually mark the occasion privately, this year’s celebration will be in the public eye as they attend a black-tie State Banquet hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace on April 9.
However, a scheduled meeting with Pope Francis has been cancelled due to the pontiff’s own health concerns, including a recent bout of double pneumonia.
The travel plans follow a turbulent week for Buckingham Palace, which was recently forced to issue a public statement clarifying King Charles’s limited involvement in a growing scandal tied to Prince Andrew’s alleged links to a Chinese spy, known as Yang Tengbo or 'H6'. The Palace stressed that the King was not made aware of Yang’s identity during meetings with Andrew and his former adviser.
Despite the mounting pressures at home, King Charles and Queen Camilla appear determined to maintain their royal commitments abroad.
