King Charles and Queen Camilla will host actor Stanley Tucci at a formal dinner on Friday evening to celebrate the confirmation of a state visit to Italy later this year.
The royal couple is set to travel to Italy in April to meet Pope Francis, Italian leaders, and engage in activities in Rome and the ancient city of Ravenna on the occasion of their upcoming 20th wedding anniversary on 9th April, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace.
Stanley Tucci, known for hosting the BBC program "Searching For Italy," will deliver a speech at an event at the royals' Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire.
The Palace's announcement of the state visit indicates that the King's health permits overseas travel as he continues cancer treatment.
Tucci, an American of Italian descent, starred in the Oscar-nominated Vatican thriller "Conclave" and has openly discussed his battle with throat cancer affecting his sense of taste.
The Italian-themed evening at Highgrove will be graced by the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, and will feature Chef Francesco Mazzei preparing an Italian menu with a focus on "slow food" principles using local ingredients, while Mixologist Alessandro Palazzi will craft drinks with Italian flavors and herbs grown on the estate.
With a passion for art, culture, and religion, the King, who has visited Italy regularly, is preparing for his 18th official visit to the country. The visit will include meetings with senior Italian officials in an effort to strengthen relations with this significant European partner.
During their time in Italy, the royal couple may celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, marking two decades since their marriage in April 2005.
Their visit to meet Pope Francis coincides with 2025 being a special "jubilee" year for the Catholic Church, occurring every 25 years. The couple will participate in the celebrations as "Pilgrims of Hope," continuing a tradition started by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who visited the Pope during the last jubilee year in 2000.
This meeting will be especially noteworthy as it will be the first encounter between King Charles and Pope Francis since Charles ascended to monarch and head of the Church of England.