The royal couple, King Charles and Queen Camilla, have landed in Rome for their State Visit to the Holy See, amid mounting controversy surrounding Prince Andrew’s use of his Royal Lodge residence. The two-day trip to Vatican City includes a meeting with Pope Leo XIV, marking the first encounter between Charles and Camilla and the newly elected Pope.
A historic moment awaits as King Charles, in his role as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, is set to become the first British monarch in nearly 500 years to participate in a public service alongside the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, since the Reformation. The royal pair’s British Government plane arrived at Ciampino 31st Wing Airport after departing from Farnborough Airport.
Upon disembarking the aircraft, they were formally greeted by representatives from the Holy See, including Christopher Trott, Ambassador to the Holy See, Dr. Anabel Inge, Deputy Head of Mission to the Holy See, and Monsignor Javier Domingo Fernández González, Vatican City’s Head of the Protocol Office. Queen Camilla, clad in a feather print silk dress by Fiona Clare and a brown cashmere trench coat by Anna Valentine, expressed her delight at being there, while King Charles conveyed his joy to Archbishop Canalini.
Having visited the Vatican on five occasions previously, Charles has met with three different Popes: Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, Pope Francis during various visits, and Pope John Paul II during his historic visit to the UK in 1982. As the visit unfolds, attention shifts to Prince Andrew’s use of his expansive Windsor mansion, where he has not paid rent for over 20 years.
Issues have arisen over the terms of the lease agreement, which only required Andrew to pay a nominal sum of ‘one peppercorn per annum’ in addition to a substantial initial payment and renovation costs. Questions have surfaced regarding potential financial implications for taxpayers as the Crown Estate, which manages the property, is obligated to compensate Andrew if the lease is relinquished.
Parliamentary committees may scrutinize the handling of Andrew’s residence, a move supported by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Amid ongoing controversies, a proposed law granting the King the authority to strip Andrew of his titles is being introduced in Parliament, reflecting public sentiment as evidenced by a YouGov poll indicating strong support for the formal removal of Andrew’s dukedom.
In Rome, the focus shifts to the King’s upcoming engagements, including a prayer with the Pope at the Sistine Chapel and a visit to St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. The King and Queen are anticipated to partake in various symbolic ceremonies strengthening ties between the Church of England and the Catholic Church, embodying a united front against conflict and supporting environmental conservation efforts.
The State Visit serves as a testament to the evolving relationship between the UK and the Holy See, emphasizing unity among Christian communities during challenging times. As the visit unfolds, the King is eager to engage with Pope Leo, highlighting the historical significance of the occasion and the unifying journey it represents.