King Charles and Queen Camilla branched out of their regular dining plans for a star-studded event planned by none other than Stanley Tucci. 

The King and Queen were also joined by the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, at the dinner which marked the announcement of a State Visit to Italy by Charles III this spring.

Italian-American actor Tucci worked with chef, Francesco Mazzei, to create a special meal for The King and Queen and their friends at Charles III’s private home, Highgrove.

It celebrated Italian food and Buckingham Palace shared that the evening had one specific goal: ”Created using entirely British ingredients blended with Italian culinary traditions and local flavours, the menu aims to fully embody the principles of Slow Food. ”

Stanley Tucci wasn’t the only famous name to join King Charles and Queen Camilla, though. Dame Helen Mirren attended the event, as did England football legend David Beckham and his wife, designer Victoria Beckham. Another designer, Donatella Versace, was among the guests. 

The event also saw several students and graduates from The King’s Foundation in attendance. The Foundation focuses strongly on the Slow Fashion and Slow Food movements, making the evening the perfect place to celebrate their work. 

During the dinner, His Majesty gave a speech, saying ”good food brings people together and what we choose to eat helps to define us – as families, communities and nations. It brings us sustenance, but also comfort. It binds generations, as recipes are passed down from one to another. Good food brings people together and what we choose to eat helps to define us – as families,
communities and nations. It brings us sustenance, but also comfort. It binds generations, as recipes are passed down from one to another.”

The speech was clue to the focus of the upcoming State Visit which will take The King and Queen to Rome and Ravenna. State Visits are planned to enhance relationships between the countries involved and this latest trip could well see food and food security play a leading role.

The King and Queen will be in Italy in April and will also make a State Visit to the Holy See.