Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to people during a welcome ceremony in Rome, Italy, on April 8, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla stand in front of the Colosseum during a welcome ceremony in Rome, Italy, on April 8, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla stand in front of the Colosseum during a welcome ceremony in Rome, Italy, on April 8, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua)

 
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella here on Tuesday, the day after their arrival for a four-day state visit to Italy.

The royals held talks with the president and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Mattarella's office said.

This is the first overseas trip for the British king since he was briefly hospitalized at the end of March due to side effects from cancer treatment.

The visit will include the Adriatic city of Ravenna, where on April 10 they will celebrate with Italian authorities the 80th anniversary of the province's liberation by the Allies in World War II.

On Wednesday, King Charles is expected to meet Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and deliver the first speech by a British monarch to the Italian parliament.