King Charles and Queen Camilla Meet Pope Francis in Private Audience on Wedding Anniversary

On the occasion of their 20th wedding anniversary, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were received in a private audience by Pope Francis at Casa Santa Marta on Wednesday. The meeting also marked the fourth anniversary of the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the Pope warmly welcomed Their Majesties and extended heartfelt congratulations on their wedding milestone. He also expressed gratitude for the King’s well wishes regarding his health, as the Pontiff continues to recover following a recent hospitalization.

Pope Francis, who has been convalescing for over two weeks after treatment for bilateral pneumonia, resumed limited meetings at the Vatican. This encounter with the British royals was among the most high-profile engagements since his release from Gemelli Hospital.

The private meeting was originally announced in early March by Buckingham Palace as part of the royal couple’s visit to Italy. However, plans were briefly postponed due to the Pope’s recovery needs. The audience was later confirmed, allowing King Charles and Queen Camilla to offer their personal regards.

As part of their three-day official visit to Italy, King Charles and Queen Camilla also met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. In a historic moment, King Charles became the first British monarch to address both Houses of the Italian Parliament at Montecitorio.

The visit highlighted the continuing diplomatic and interfaith engagement between the United Kingdom and the Holy See. King Charles, as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, has long promoted religious dialogue, having previously attended the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman at the Vatican in 2019.

The audience with Pope Francis reaffirmed the strong ties between the British monarchy and the Vatican, symbolizing a shared commitment to unity, compassion, and global peace.