King Charles and Queen Camilla recently hosted an Italian-themed dinner at their Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, bringing together a star-studded guest list and a menu full of Italian culinary delights. The evening, which included dishes such as crab, ravioli, and pork, was a prelude to their upcoming state visit to Italy and the Vatican in April. This trip will coincide with the royal couple’s 20th wedding anniversary and will feature a meeting with Pope Francis.
Guests at the dinner included well-known figures such as David and Victoria Beckham, Dame Helen Mirren, Donatella Versace, and actor Stanley Tucci, who was one of the inspirations behind the evening’s menu. The event was also attended by former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, chefs Raymond Blanc and Angela Hartnett, and Italy’s ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini.
During the evening, King Charles spoke about his deep love for Italian food and culture, emphasizing the power of food to bring people together. “Good food brings people together and what we choose to eat helps to define us – as families, communities, and nations,” said the King.
The dinner celebrated the concept of “slow food,” a movement that highlights fresh, local ingredients and traditional cooking methods. “A nation’s food culture is a priceless social and environmental asset, intimately bound up with its sense of identity and place,” the King remarked, sharing his passion for both the culinary and cultural connection between Italy and the UK.
The event was also a warm-up for the royal visit, which will mark King Charles’ 18th official trip to Italy. “To say that we are looking forward to it would be to engage in a little British understatement,” he joked to his guests.
The menu, prepared by renowned Calabrian chef Francesco Mazzei, featured a blend of Italian recipes and British ingredients. The dishes were paired with both English sparkling wine and Italian red and white wines, offering a perfect fusion of the two countries’ rich food cultures.
With the combination of royal elegance, culinary tradition, and high-profile guests, the dinner at Highgrove was a memorable evening that set the stage for the royal couple’s upcoming Italian state visit.
