The monarchs, King and Queen, have made their official arrival in Rome for the commencement of their State Visit to the Holy See, amidst escalating controversies surrounding Prince Andrew’s utilization of his Royal Lodge residence. During their two-day trip to Vatican City, Charles and Camilla are scheduled to meet with Pope Leo XIV for the first time post his election.
In a significant historical occasion, as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the King is set to make history by being the first British monarch to participate in a public service with the Pope, head of the Catholic Church, since the Reformation nearly five centuries ago. The royal couple’s official British Government aircraft landed at Ciampino 31st Wing Airport from Farnborough Airport just before 6:30 pm.
Upon disembarking from the plane, they were warmly greeted by representatives from the Holy See, including Ambassador Christopher Trott, Deputy Head of Mission Dr. Anabel Inge, and Monsignor Javier Domingo Fernández González, Head of the Protocol Office at Vatican City. The Queen, dressed in a feather print silk dress by Fiona Clare and a brown cashmere trench coat by Anna Valentine, expressed her delight, stating, “It is a great pleasure to be here,” while the King remarked to Archbishop Canalini, “It is wonderful to be able to come back to Rome.”
Having previously visited the Vatican on five occasions as the Prince of Wales and having met three popes, the visit holds added significance. The visit coincides with ongoing controversies surrounding Prince Andrew and his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew recently relinquished his royal titles in response to allegations from his accuser Virginia Giuffre, detailed in her posthumous memoir Nobody’s Girl.
The attention has now shifted to Andrew’s extended use of his 30-bedroom mansion in Windsor, where it was revealed that he has not paid rent for over twenty years. Questions have been raised regarding the lease agreement, which only requires Andrew to pay a symbolic amount annually if demanded, leading to concerns about taxpayer implications and profits from the Crown Estate.
The proposed law that would enable the King to officially strip Andrew of his dukedom was introduced in Parliament today. The law would grant the monarch the authority to remove titles based on recommendations from Parliament or at the request of the titleholder. A significant majority of Britons support the formal removal of Andrew’s dukedom, as indicated by a recent YouGov poll.
In Rome, the King’s spokesperson emphasized Charles’s anticipation of meeting Pope Leo, highlighting the importance of the visit in fostering unity between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. The King and Queen’s itinerary includes significant events such as a prayer with the Pope in the Sistine Chapel and meetings with key Vatican officials. The State Visit symbolizes a milestone in the relationship between the UK, the Church of England, and the Holy See, showcasing unity and collaboration amidst global challenges.