The King and Queen have hosted Hollywood star Stanley Tucci and the Beckhams among other high-profile guests for a black tie dinner to celebrate Italian cuisine at Highgrove.
Charles and Camilla invited the renowned foodie, David and Victoria Beckham, and the Italian ambassador, Inigo Lambertini, to the UK to enjoy a feast of sustainable food on Friday evening, ahead of their trip to Italy and the Vatican in April.
The major spring tour, which has long been trailed in the media, coincides with the royal couple’s 20th wedding anniversary.
The menu was created by renowned Italian chef Francesco Mazzei and inspired by Tucci, who fronted the TV series Tucci – The Heart Of Italy.
Produced using entirely British ingredients blended with Italian culinary traditions and local flavours, the dishes aimed to embody the principles of Slow Food.
Charles gave a speech at the dinner on his Gloucestershire estate – which Donatella Versace, Dame Helen Mirren and Edward Enninful also attended – in which he described how slow food and Italy are “dear to my heart”.
He said he was “especially pleased” the event comes just a few weeks before the state visit to Italy, adding: “To say that we are looking forward to it would be to engage in a little British understatement…”
Tucci also gave a speech and began by joking “this is just the first of 15 pages”.
Key Points
- King and Queen dine with Beckhams and Stanley Tucci to celebrate Italian cuisine
- School named after Duke of York to rebrand
- King and Queen to pay state visits to Italy and the Vatican
- Legal battle over Harry's US visa documents reopens
- Who is Stanley Tucci?
Palace confirms King and Queen to pay state visits to Italy and Vatican
23:14
,
Tara Cobham
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the King and Queen are to pay state visits to Italy and the Vatican.
The major spring tour, which has long been trailed in the media, will take place in early April and coincides with Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary.
They will meet Pope Francis at the Vatican and celebrate the Catholic Church’s Pilgrims of Hope jubilee year.
In Italy, the couple will visit Rome and the north-eastern city of Ravenna, known for its early Christian mosaic artwork.
Charles, 76, is forging ahead with regular overseas trips this year as he adapts to living with cancer.
The development emerged at the end of the King’s long-haul visit to Australia and Samoa, which was described as the “perfect tonic” for the monarch.
The tour announcement comes the week after Charles travelled to Poland for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
The couple will attend the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church, which is located in the Vatican – the smallest independent state in the world, which is surrounded by Rome and is the residence of the spiritual leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.
The King is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
The role dates back to Henry VIII, who named himself Supreme Head of the Church of England after he was excommunicated by the Pope and broke from the Catholic Church in the 16th century to marry Anne Boleyn.
Charles has long been a champion of the philosophy of slow food
23:14
,
Tara Cobham
The slow food initiative was launched in 1986 in the small Italian town of Bra when food writer Carlo Petrini took exception to the opening of a McDonald’s in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna, leading to widespread national protests.
It promotes the right to good, clean and fair food for all, and strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine.
Charles has long been a champion of the philosophy.
The event also promoted ‘slow fashion’, with the King and Queen meeting King’s Foundation’s students and being shown garments demonstrating their sustainable fashion and heritage skills.
The slow fashion movement encourages people to buy fewer, higher-quality items that last longer.
Charles laughs as lemon almost goes up his nose when he tries to sip martini he made
23:13
,
Tara Cobham
Charles made a martini under the tutelage of Italian mixologist Alessandro Palazzi and laughed when the lemon almost went up his nose as he tried to take a sip, then declared it “great”.
Mr Palazzi, when asked about the King’s martini-making technique, replied: “He was good.”
The James Bond-inspired martinis were prepared by Mr Palazzi using flavours of Italy and herbs from Charles’s beloved Highgrove Gardens.
Mr Palazzi said his recipe for the event was a half measure Sacred English vermouth from Highgate with one part Polish vodka and three parts Gordon’s gin.
He said: “The martini is shaken very well and has to be served cold.”
Menu for feast created by renowned Italian chef and inspired by Tucci
23:11
,
Tara Cobham
The menu for the King and Queen’s Italian feast was created by renowned Italian chef Francesco Mazzei and inspired by guest Stanley Tucci, who fronted the TV series Tucci – The Heart Of Italy.
Mr Mazzei told how he had travelled across the UK to source ingredients for the meal.
On the reception menu was rare and pasture salumi, Tuscan style pate and coppa, Yorkshire pecorino cheese puffs and British vegetables caponata tartelletta.
The dinner menu included Scottish crab panzanella, Westcombe ricotta and Highgrove fine herbs ravioli, Isle of Wight tomato passata, Suffolk red porchetta, pumpkin and sage mash, Tuscan kale and zuppa inglese and biscotti.
Mr Mazzei said: “This is my first time cooking for the King. I’m quite excited about that.
“It is an Italian menu with British produce, well 99 per cent as the extra virgin olive oil is Italian.”
He said: “I was in Devon two weeks ago to get the salumi. I went to see the pigs where the belly comes from.
“The tomatoes for the passata are from the Isle of Wight.
“The cob nuts for the biscotti are from Kent.
“I am really happy to be able to create this menu. If they enjoy it – I don’t know – but I tried my best.
“I made a report of where I had been, so it is all there and documented. I sent this to the royal chef and said ‘make sure the King sees this’.”
Created using British ingredients blended with Italian culinary traditions and local flavours, the dishes aimed to embody the principles of slow food.
King and Queen dine with Beckhams and Stanley Tucci to celebrate Italian cuisine
23:05
,
Tara Cobham
The King and Queen have been joined by Victoria and David Beckham, Donatella Versace, Dame Helen Mirren, Edward Enninful and Stanley Tucci for a black tie dinner to celebrate Italian cuisine at Highgrove.
Charles and Camilla invited Italian-American Devil Wears Prada actor and well-known foodie, Tucci, and the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, to the Gloucestershire estate on Friday night to enjoy a feast of sustainable ‘slow food’.
Other guests included Tucci’s wife Felicity Blunt – sister of actress Emily Blunt, businessman and TV personality Patrick Grant and chefs Raymond Blanc and Angela Hartnett.
The King and Queen, who was wearing a Fiona Clare dress, were seen chatting to the Beckhams and Dame Helen.
David Beckham told Camilla how much he loved their Cotswolds estate, adding: “It’s beautiful there, so beautiful. We love it. We are very happy there. We’ve got chickens…”
Camilla interjected: “I’ve got chickens too!”
He suggested that his wife was not so keen on gardening but added: “I love it.”
He told the King how proud he was of his role as a King’s Foundation ambassador and thanked him for the opportunity to get involved.
Victoria Beckham admired the work of his students, telling him: “The workmanship and the craftsmanship is phenomenal.”
The King gave a speech at the dinner and said slow food and Italy are “dear to my heart”.
He said he was “especially pleased” the dinner comes just a few weeks before the state visit to Italy, adding: “To say that we are looking forward to it would be to engage in a little British understatement…”
Meghan thanks Billie Eilish for heartfelt gift to LA wildfire victim
23:03
,
Athena Stavrou
Jack Whitehall drops ‘post-Meghan’ revelation about Prince Harry
22:01
,
Athena Stavrou
Jack Whitehall has said Prince Harry “dropped” him after he met Meghan Markle.
Much like Piers Morgan claimed Markle “disappeared” from his life after she started a relationship with the royal, British comedian Whitehall has said he was once “good friends” with Harry in his single days.
Whitehall would regularly party with Harry and, in 2015, “offered up services as his royal wingman” while presenting the Royal Variety Performance.
But one year later, Harry’s life would drastically change when he met Suits star Markle, whom he married in 2018. Whitehall was not invited to the wedding.
Read the full story here:
Anne ‘fills in blanks’ on return to intensive care unit
21:00
,
Athena Stavrou
The Princess Royal has told how her return to the intensive care unit where she was treated after her horse-related accident was really useful for “filling in the blanks.”
Anne met medical crews who were involved in her care as she visited the ICU at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
The 74-year-old princess, who was on her way to see her chickens on her Gatcombe Park estate when the incident happened last June, has no memory of what followed, but is thought to have been struck by a horse’s head or legs.
The princess said: “You’ve been filling in the blanks, which partly, from my perspective, is really useful to know what happened because I seriously don’t have any idea and, sadly, I don’t have huge memories of being in here either. I just know I was really well looked after so thank you.
William speaks about grief on visit to charity with links to Diana
20:00
,
Athena Stavrou
The Prince of Wales has opened up about his “most painful experience” on a visit to a bereavement charity close to Princess Diana’s heart.
Prince William, 42, spoke to teenagers in Widnes, Cheshire, on Wednesday to see the work done by Child Bereavement UK, of which he has been a patron since 2009.
The charity, which provides free, confidential bereavement support for children and young people, as well as families where a child has died, was launched in 1994 with support from William’s mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
William - who lost his mother in 1997 when he was just 15 - spoke to young people about how they were dealing with grief.
Read the full story:
Princess of Wales wants public to focus on her work - not her wardrobe
19:01
,
Athena Stavrou
The Princess of Wales wants the world to focus on her campaign work and not her wardrobe as she gradually returns as a frontline royal.
In a move signalling her wish to be less about her fashion choices and more about her campaigning, Kensington Palace will no longer release details of her outfit during events.
A palace source said that change came with an “absolute feeling” that the public work was not about what the princess was wearing, accordingThe Sunday Times.
Read the full story:
Andrew adviser ‘showed lack of common sense over alleged Chinese spy evidence’
17:59
,
Athena Stavrou
A senior adviser to the Duke of York showed a “lack of common sense” when he agreed to give evidence in an alleged Chinese spy’s legal case without seeking advice from his own lawyer, a tribunal has been told.
At a hearing on Friday, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) heard Dominic Hampshire, a senior aide to Andrew, was in contact with the intelligence services about alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo in 2022, before the decision to exclude him from the UK on national security grounds had been made.
The specialist tribunal also heard bids from multiple media organisations for documents that were part of the SIAC challenge, including a witness statement from Mr Hampshire.
Judges were told Mr Hampshire had provided the witness statement with assurances from Mr Yang’s legal team that it would remain confidential.
Adam Wolanski KC, for the media organisations, said Mr Hampshire did not seek his own legal advice about the likelihood of his evidence becoming public, describing this as “bewildering”.
He continued in written submissions: “It is extraordinary that a person in Mr Hampshire’s position, apparently charged with dealing with confidential and sensitive matters on behalf of the Duke of York, did not bother obtaining his own legal advice before agreeing to provide a witness statement to Mr Yang.”
King and Queen to pay state visits to Italy and the Vatican
16:38
,
Athena Stavrou
The King and Queen are to pay state visits to Italy and the Vatican, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The major spring tour, which has long been trailed in the media, will take place in early April and coincides with Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary.
They will meet Pope Francis at the Vatican and celebrate the Catholic Church’s Pilgrims of Hope jubilee year.
In Italy, the couple will visit Rome and the north-eastern city of Ravenna, known for its early Christian mosaic artwork.
Charles, 76, is forging ahead with regular overseas trips this year as he adapts to living with cancer.
The development emerged at the end of the King’s long-haul visit to Australia and Samoa, which was described as the “perfect tonic” for the monarch.
What is slow food?
15:29
,
Athena Stavrou
Charles and Camilla have invited Stanley Tucci to the King’s Gloucestershire estate to enjoy a feast of sustainable Slow Food tonight.
The menu has been created by renowned Italian chef Francesco Mazzei and inspired by Tucci, who fronted the TV series Tucci – The Heart Of Italy.
Created using entirely British ingredients blended with Italian culinary traditions and local flavours, the dishes aim to embody the principles of Slow Food.
Drinks will be prepared by Italian mixologist Alessandro Palazzi using Italian flavours and herbs from Charles’s beloved Highgrove Gardens.
The Slow Food initiative was launched in 1986 in the small Italian town of Bra when food writer Carlo Petrini took exception to the opening of a McDonald’s in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna, leading to widespread national protests.
It promotes the right to good, clean and fair food for all, and strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine.
Charles has long been a champion of the Slow Food philosophy.
Prince of Wales tells Blue Peter Earthshot winners: ‘Here’s one I made earlier’
14:43
,
Athena Stavrou
The Prince Of Wales has recited Blue Peter’s memorable “here’s one I made earlier” catchphrase while meeting winners of its Earthshot competition on the BBC children’s magazine show.
The competition invited children aged between five and 15 to come up with an idea to help save the planet in the same manner as the main Earthshot Prize, which was set up by the Prince Of Wales in 2020.
Five winners met the prince at Windsor Castle on the show where they presented their ideas, asked him questions about the environment and made eco-friendly bird feeders with him, before he then awarded the certificates.
On the show, presenter Joel Mawhinney showed his bird feeder to the camera once it was finished, but said it needed a bit of “touching up”, prompting him to ask for “some royal help”.
William replied, holding up the bird feeder he had made: “Joel, here’s one I made earlier.”
Who is Lord Ivar Mountbatten? King Charles’ cousin starring in the Traitors US
13:58
,
Athena Stavrou
“If there's anyone who can keep a secret, it's a royal.”
That is the assumption Lord Ivar Mountbatten was met with after he arrived at a grand Scottish castle to play a game of lies and deception with a star-studded line up.
The King’s second cousin, 61, has joined the cast of The Traitors US, in which a group of chaotically comprised celebrities gathered to play the game which has taken UK viewers by storm.
A direct descendent of Queen Victoria, fans can watch the British aristocrat try to beat the likes of real housewives, Selling Sunset stars and Zac Efron’s brother to win his share of the $250,000 (£200,000) prize pot.
Read the full story here:
Watch: Prince Andrew sought £2.5bn with help from alleged spy
13:03
,
Athena Stavrou
Team UK departs for Canada ahead of Invictus Games kick-off
12:22
,
Athena Stavrou
British veterans and serving personnel who were injured during service have departed for Canada ahead of the 2025 Invictus Games.
The seventh edition of the games, established by the Duke of Sussex in 2014, will begin in Vancouver on February 8.
The 62 competitors – all veterans and serving personnel who sustained life-changing injuries and illnesses while serving in the UK Armed Forces – left the country from Birmingham Airport on Thursday.
Team UK’s captain Steve “Hoops” Hooper, an RAF veteran diagnosed with PTSD from his experiences in Iraq before being medically discharged in 2021, said: “The pride the whole team feels representing their country is huge, this means so much to them.”
Full story: Prince Andrew School changes name to drop ‘controversial ties’
11:45
,
Athena Stavrou
A secondary school named after Prince Andrew is changing its name after the King’s disgraced brother was mired in a string of scandals.
Prince Andrew School, the only secondary school on St Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the south Atlantic Ocean, says it is dropping its title to be free from “controversial ties”.
The island’s government said the school believed the change was a crucial step in ensuring its name embodied the values, aspirations, and identity of its students and the wider community.
“The school believes a neutral name will foster a positive and forward-thinking learning environment, free from contentious associations,” it said.
Read the full story here:
Queen Elizabeth II’s personal Land Rover fleet hits the road for US showcase
10:58
,
Athena Stavrou
Britain’s longest-serving monarch, the late Queen Elizabeth II, will be honoured by Land Rover for her love of the iconic British motorcar in an exclusive exhibition across the pond.
Americans on the East Coast can catch a glimpse of a number of historic vehicles from the late Queen’s personal fleet and that of the British royal household.
After a successful 2024 tour across the US, one more stop has been marked on the map with royal fans able to check out a specialised collection of Elizabeth II’s own cars at ModaMiami in Florida in March.
The exhibition will showcase a specialised collection of five Series, Defender, and Range Rover models used by the late Queen during her 70-year reign.
The display will feature vehicles used by the Royal family, either in an official capacity or as part of the household fleet.
Edward tells new Gurkhas they are ‘soldiers in British army but sons of Nepal’
10:05
,
Athena Stavrou
The Duke of Edinburgh told new Gurkha recruits to be proud of being a “soldier in the British army but a son of Nepal” as he attended their attestation ceremony.
Edward and his wife Sophie met the two per cent of young Nepalis who passed the gruelling and highly competitive selection process to become part of the elite Brigade of Gurkhas.
The duke and duchess looked on as the 274 recruits – selected from more than 13,000 applicants – took the oath of allegiance, saluting a portrait of the King and touching the Union flag.
In a speech at the Gurkha base in Pokhara, Edward said: “Thank you for choosing to serve in the Brigade of Gurkhas in the British Army, and thank you for swearing allegiance to His Majesty today.
“You are joining a regimental family with strong traditions and a reputation for loyalty, service and courage.
“Gurkhas have served the crown for over 209 years. This now becomes your heritage and your responsibility to uphold.”
Who is Stanley Tucci?
09:18
,
Athena Stavrou
The King and Queen have invited Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci for dinner at Highgrove this evening.
The Italian-American actor and author is best known for his roles in the hit films Devil Wears Prada, Lovely Bones, The Hunger Games and Conclave.
He has earned numerous accolades, including six Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Tony Award.
King and Queen celebrate Italian cuisine at Highgrove dinner with Stanley Tucci
08:47
,
Athena Stavrou
The King and Queen will join Hollywood star Stanley Tucci for a black tie dinner to celebrate Italian cuisine at Highgrove on Friday evening.
The pair have invited the Italian-American Devil Wears Prada actor and well-known foodie and the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, to Charles’s Gloucestershire estate to enjoy a feast of sustainable Slow Food.
The menu has been created by renowned Italian chef Francesco Mazzei and inspired by Tucci, who fronted the TV series Tucci – The Heart Of Italy.
Created using entirely British ingredients blended with Italian culinary traditions and local flavours, the dishes aim to embody the principles of Slow Food.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the King and Queen are to pay state visits to Italy and the Vatican.
Pictured: Royals on official engagements on Thursday
07:00
,
Athena Stavrou
Meghan thanks Billie Eilish for heartfelt gift to LA wildfire victim
06:03
,
Athena Stavrou
Why Prince Harry's visa case is back in court, and will he be deported from Trump's America?
05:00
,
Athena Stavrou
Five months after the matter was seemingly closed, a lawsuit fighting to make Prince Harry’s private US visa records public reopened in court on Wednesday.
The Duke of Sussex admitted he had previously taken drugs during his teenage years in his 2023 book, Spare, prompting a right-wing US think tank to suggest he had lied on his documentation or could have been given special treatment by Joe Biden’s administration.
Here is an explanation about what the case is about, and why it has been reopened:
Prince of Wales meets Blue Peter Earthshot competition winners
04:01
,
Athena Stavrou
The Prince of Wales has met the winners of a Blue Peter competition asking young environmentalists to submit sustainability-focused ideas.
William presented the children with certificates at a special reception held at Windsor Castle, and they also created eco-friendly bird feeders together themed around his Earthshot Prize.
Jack Whitehall drops ‘post-Meghan’ revelation about Prince Harry
02:24
,
Athena Stavrou
Jack Whitehall has said Prince Harry “dropped” him after he met Meghan Markle.
Much like Piers Morgan claimed Markle “disappeared” from his life after she started a relationship with the royal, British comedian Whitehall has said he was once “good friends” with Harry in his single days.
Whitehall would regularly party with Harry and, in 2015, “offered up services as his royal wingman” while presenting the Royal Variety Performance.
But one year later, Harry’s life would drastically change when he met Suits star Markle, whom he married in 2018. Whitehall was not invited to the wedding.
Read the full story here:
King and Queen to pay state visits to Italy and the Vatican
01:00
,
Athena Stavrou
The King and Queen are to pay state visits to Italy and the Vatican, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The major spring tour, which has long been trailed in the media, will take place in early April and coincides with Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary.
They will meet Pope Francis at the Vatican and celebrate the Catholic Church’s Pilgrims of Hope jubilee year.
In Italy, the couple will visit Rome and the north-eastern city of Ravenna, known for its early Christian mosaic artwork.
Charles, 76, is forging ahead with regular overseas trips this year as he adapts to living with cancer.
The development emerged at the end of the King’s long-haul visit to Australia and Samoa, which was described as the “perfect tonic” for the monarch.
King pledges to lend his watercolours to Polish cultural centre in London
Thursday 6 February 2025 23:34
,
Athena Stavrou
The King has said he will loan a leading Polish cultural centre some of his watercolours after a plea from its gallery to exhibit his work.
Charles was reminded of a request made 15 years ago during his last visit to the Polish Social and Cultural Association (POSK) in west London to display his art.
The monarch visited the cultural centre in Hammersmith on Wednesday to show his support for the UK’s Polish community.
When Charles arrived, Joanna Ciechanowska, an artist and manager of POSK’s gallery, asked him: “Have you brought your paintings, your beautiful paintings, to us?”
The King, who was being shown a small painting exhibition by Polish-born actor and set and stage designer Felix Fabian, replied with a smile: “No, sadly not,” then joked: “I’m not sure they’re that good.”
After touring the exhibition, Charles told Ms Ciechanowska: “I’ll try and keep up my painting and you’ll have to exhibit them here,” but he confessed: “I haven’t done any of Poland.”
School named after Duke of York to rebrand
Thursday 6 February 2025 22:03
,
Athena Stavrou
A school named after the Duke of York is set to be rebranded to something less “controversial”.
Prince Andrew School – the only secondary school on the remote British overseas territory of St Helena – is asking its students to suggest something more “neutral”.
The decision stems from “recent public controversy” and “negative media coverage”, and has been approved by Buckingham Palace, a statement from the government of St Helena said.
Head teacher Phil Toal said: “While we respect history, we must also be mindful of how past associations impact the present and future.
“Choosing a new name allows us to honour the contributions of our students and community without the burden of controversial ties.”
The new name is expected to be chosen by the end of February, and will be launched at the start of the next academic year in September.
Furore erupted in 2019 over Andrew’s friendship with convicted US paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
He stepped away from his public role and later paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met.
Pictured: Camilla meets staff supporting sexual assault victims
Thursday 6 February 2025 21:00
,
Athena Stavrou
Camilla hails efforts of health staff in supporting sexual assault victims
Thursday 6 February 2025 20:00
,
Athena Stavrou
The Queen has praised the “brilliant” efforts of health workers and other staff supporting sexual assault victims at a specialist centre she officially opened.
Camilla launched the purpose-built Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Exeter after touring the building, and following a private meeting with a survivor described the “differen
