King Charles Hosts Italian-Themed Banquet Ahead of State Visit to Italy

In a refined celebration of Anglo-Italian culinary and cultural ties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted an Italian-themed dinner on Friday at their Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire.

The event, attended by a distinguished guest list including David and Victoria Beckham, Dame Helen Mirren, and Donatella Versace, served as a warm-up for the royal couple’s upcoming state visit to Italy and the Vatican in early April.

The dinner was a gastronomic showcase of “slow food,” an ethos that emphasizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

The King, a long-time advocate of sustainable food practices, expressed his admiration for Italian cuisine and its deep-rooted connection to culture and identity.

“Good food brings people together, and what we choose to eat helps to define us – as families, communities, and nations,” King Charles said in his speech to the gathering.

A Star-Studded Evening Celebrating Anglo-Italian Cuisine

The banquet was graced by notable figures from the worlds of entertainment, fashion, and culinary arts. Other guests included former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful and celebrated chefs Raymond Blanc and Angela Hartnett.

The presence of actors, designers, and culinary luminaries underscored the evening’s focus on the enduring cultural bonds between the UK and Italy.

Dame Helen Mirren, who owns a house in Puglia and spends half the year there, was among the guests with strong ties to Italy.

She has spoken of her love for the country, sharing her experience of learning Italian and the warm hospitality she has received from the local community.

David Beckham, another guest with a personal connection to Italy, played 29 matches for AC Milan during two loan spells in 2009 and 2010.

While his time in Serie A was meant to help maintain his form for the 2010 World Cup, an Achilles tendon injury during his second stint prematurely ended his campaign and his World Cup hopes.

The Exquisite Menu: A Blend of British Ingredients and Italian Recipes

The dinner menu, curated by renowned Calabrian chef Francesco Mazzei, combined Italian culinary traditions with British ingredients.

The carefully crafted dishes were paired with both English and Italian wines, creating a rich, cross-cultural dining experience.

Reception:

• Rare and pasture salumi
• Tuscan-style paté and coppa
• Yorkshire pecorino cheese puffs
• British vegetables caponata tartelletta
• Highgrove sparkling wine

Dinner:

• Scottish crab panzanella
• Westcombe ricotta and Highgrove fine herbs ravioli with Isle of Wight tomato passata
• Suffolk Red porchetta with pumpkin and sage mash, Tuscan kale
• Zuppa Inglese and biscotti

The meal was accompanied by white wine Gavi dei Gavi La Scolca Black Label 2023 and red wine Barbaresco Gaja 2021. A red dessert wine, Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Zenato, completed the culinary experience.

King Charles, in a moment of lightheartedness, quipped about the collaboration between Mazzei and actor Stanley Tucci, who inspired the menu choices: “I can only hope they are still talking to each other at the end of it all!”

A Royal Toast to Italian Culture

The evening’s drinks were prepared by renowned mixologist Alessandro Palazzi, using herbs sourced from the gardens at Highgrove.

The King concluded the gathering with a toast in Italian, “Alla eterna cultura italiana del buon cibo,” meaning “To Italy’s timeless food culture.”

The event underscored the King’s enthusiasm for his upcoming visit, which marks his 18th official trip to Italy. “To say that we are looking forward to it would be to engage in a little British understatement,” he humorously remarked.

Strengthening Diplomatic and Cultural Ties

The state visit in April will see King Charles and Queen Camilla engaging in diplomatic meetings in Rome and Ravenna, where they will meet Pope Francis and Italian political leaders.

This trip will also coincide with their 20th wedding anniversary, adding a personal milestone to the royal itinerary. As an avid supporter of heritage conservation, environmental sustainability, and interfaith dialogue, King Charles is expected to emphasize these themes during his meetings.

The visit will serve to reinforce the historical and contemporary ties between the UK and Italy, further deepening cooperation in culture, trade, and sustainability efforts.

The Italian-themed dinner at Highgrove set a fitting tone for the royal tour, celebrating not only the flavors of Italy but also the enduring friendship between the two nations.

With his love for slow food and appreciation for Italian culture, King Charles continues to highlight the importance of culinary heritage in shaping national identity and fostering international bonds.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members