“A Riveder le Stelle”: the State Visit to Italy anniversary

The photographic exhibition A Riveder le Stelle was inaugurated at Villa Wolkonsky on 14 April 2026, the Residence of the British Ambassador to Italy.

The exhibition offered a visual journey retracing, one year on, some of the most emblematic moments of the State Visit to Italy by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, one of the most significant events in recent years for relations between the United Kingdom and Italy.

"The decision to host this initiative," said the British Embassy's Acting Chargé d'Affaires, David Burton, "stemmed from a heartfelt belief: the success of the State Visit was made possible by broad and fruitful collaboration with Italy, and above all by the warmth shown by institutions and by the many citizens who took part and welcomed the Sovereigns with extraordinary affection."

The exhibition featured more than thirty exclusive photographs documenting the journey through Rome and Ravenna from 7 to 10 April 2025. The title A Riveder le Stelle, a quotation from Dante used by King Charles III to conclude his historic address to the Italian Parliament, provided the common thread for a photographic narrative that celebrated, one year on, a memorable occasion for UK-Italy relations and its many protagonists.

The images documented, among others, the welcome by President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale; the role played by the Presidents of the Chambers, Ignazio La Russa and Lorenzo Fontana, in enabling King Charles's historic address to the Italian Parliament in joint session; the meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Villa Pamphili; the roundtable on Energy and Climate with Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani; the honours paid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the presence of Minister Guido Crosetto; the visit to the Colosseum Archaeological Park with Minister Alessandro Giuli; Queen Camilla's meeting with a Roman primary school alongside Minister Giuseppe Valditara; and the involvement of the Mayors of Rome and Ravenna, as well as many other institutions.

Alongside the highest level of institutional engagement, many photographs portrayed the warm and enthusiastic welcome from citizens, offering the Royal Couple unforgettable moments: from the crowds at the Colosseum to the meeting with school pupils in Rome, and the affectionate reception from the people of Ravenna.

Informed of the initiative, King Charles III expressed his pleasure at the photographic exhibition and recalled how both Their Majesties retained deeply fond and special memories of their visit to Italy, together with the subsequent visit to the Vatican.

The exhibition was further enriched by video contributions recounting the four days of the visit and by video messages from two figures from culture and entertainment who met the Royal Couple on that occasion: Alberto Angela and Carolyn Smith. In a video message to guests, Alberto Angela, who accompanied Their Majesties during the visit to the Colosseum Archaeological Park, recalled feeling "an enormous emotion, but also a great responsibility", adding that he was particularly struck by the Royal Couple's genuine interest and engagement. Carolyn Smith also described the experience as the fulfilment of a dream.

The exhibition A Riveder le Stelle remained accessible to guests attending events at Villa Wolkonsky for the rest of the year, complementing a programme that included the celebration of King Charles III's Birthday in June and the 34th Anglo-Italian Pontignano Conference in the autumn.