The Vatican rolled out the red carpet for King Charles and Queen Camilla this morning, as their arrival to the Holy See was marked by a ceremonial welcome. The King and Queen arrived in Rome last night ahead of their meeting with His Holiness. Dressed in their colourful Renaissance-style ceremonial uniforms, the Swiss Guard formed a guard of honour at the ceremonial entrance to the Apostolic Palace.
As Charles and Camilla stepped out of the State Bentley, the pontifical band, dressed in striking bright blue and gold uniforms, played the two countries' national anthems before the royal couple headed inside, where they met with the Pope. The state visit to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican, is understood to be deeply significant for the King personally and celebrates the Papal Jubilee held every 25 years. During an ecumenical service in the famous Sistine Chapel at noon, the King, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, became the first British monarch to pray at a public service with the Pope, head of the Catholic Church, since the Reformation.
It comes as the King's brother, Prince Andrew, continues to cause controversy back home. Yesterday, the Prime Minister appeared to back an inquiry into Prince Andrew's living arrangements, having lived at Royal Lodge for over 20 years without paying rent. But the King and the Palace are hoping the focus will be on the series of engagements in the Vatican, rather than his disgraced brother.
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