Solemn celebration of the King’s birthday in Rome for King Charles III and HM Queen Camilla

Villa Volkonsky program is the fourth in Italy DDedicated to the Friends of the United Kingdom and represents its national day; The other three Italian appointments were held in Venice on 24 May, on 6 June and in Florence on 20 June.

Following the Roman appointment, another stop is scheduled in Naples (June 28). This year, a very special occasion has been added to the traditional celebrations associated with the coronation of King Charles III held at Westminster Abbey: a ceremony that took place again in the same garden at the initiative of Ambassador Llewellyn and his guests. Villa Volkonsky, which hosted the then Prince Charles several times during his nineteen visits to Italy.

A quintessentially British evening with guests who were greeted by a performance by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, dressed in traditional Scottish livery, to the beat of swing, to the tunes of Elton John and “Amazing Grace”; The musical part continued throughout the evening with a performance by Luigi Antonio Sabbatini, representative of the Associazione Musicale, a medley by Adele and Ed Sheeran, followed by a speech by Ambassador Llewellyn and the traditional crown-shaped cake cutting. Sunset Ceremony, Sunset Ceremony, and the poignant “Beat the Retreat”, again by the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The traditional performance of the hymns by the British Embassy Choir, directed by Maestro Andrea Rossi, was impeccable. To follow, a DJ set by DJ Lau, always on British Music.

On the façade of the building where Ambassador Llewellyn resides, photographs of Prince Charles in Italy and some of the most important moments of bilateral relations between Italy and the United Kingdom during the past year were displayed at the same time; With the Neronian Aqueduct running alongside the embassy, ​​beams of lights, excerpts from HM King Charles III’s coronation speech and projections to the beat of Depeche Mode.

The symbols of the recent coronation and the Union Jack capped off an unforgettable evening which ended with a performance of traditional tunes by the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

In addition to traditional canapés – the “devil on a horse” was noted favorably – a full-on Italian touch with Scottish salmon, Welsh cheese and Wilkin & Sons sauce as well as Amatrisiana al Guancielle from Amatrice (in 2017 the then Prince Charles) less than a year after the terrible earthquake of 2016) and Parmigiano Reggiano paired with Scotch whisky; Plus Pimms, gin and tonics, Babington tea and samosas for a truly multicultural touch.

Among those present were Ministers Nordio, Urso and Schillaci, Deputy Minister Sisto as well as Anti-Mafia Attorney General Melillo, Vice Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies Ascani and Mulay, as well as several other lawmakers.

Ambassador Edward Llewellyn commented on the occasion of the evening: “It is an honor and a pleasure to host so many friends from the United Kingdom at Villa Volkonsky. Since coming to Italy I have been struck by the affection that many Italians show towards my country: firstly for the respect and closeness to the death of our sovereign, the much loved Queen Elizabeth II, and more recently King Charles Coronation of III. The renewed closeness between our two countries is demonstrated by the recent visit of Prime Minister Georgia Meloni to London. On that occasion, he signed an MoU with our Prime Minister which paves the way for our cooperation in all fields in the years to come. But King Charles is actually a great lover of Italy: in fact, as Prince of Wales, Charles has been to Italy 20 times, from Milan to Ischia, from Venice to Florence, from Amatrice to Rome. Toasting with you today tastes special because of the connection our sovereign has with this beautiful country of yours.”