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Britain’s King Charles shrugs off health scare to begin Italy visit
Trip comes 10 days after the king, 76, was briefly admitted to hospital after experiencing temporary side effects from his cancer treatment
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Britain’s King Charles on Monday began a state visit to Italy in which he will address parliament and tour the Colosseum, although an audience with Pope Francis was postponed over the pontiff’s poor health.
The four-day trip comes 10 days after the king, 76, was briefly admitted to hospital after experiencing temporary side effects from his cancer treatment.
The king and his wife, Queen Camilla, who will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary while in Rome, touched down at the capital’s Ciampino Airport on Monday evening.
They descended from the plane on to a red carpet where they were greeted by dignitaries and a guard of honour. The king waved and smiled as the royals were driven away.
The king knows Italy well, having already made 17 official visits, although this is his first since taking over as monarch following the 2022 death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth.
The monarch, who is also head of the Protestant Church of England, had been expected to meet Pope Francis but the audience was postponed due to the Catholic leader’s ailing health.
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