Rome, Apr. 8, (PA Media/dpa/GNA) – Britain’s King Charles III has hailed “brilliant” restoration work preserving the Colosseum in Rome after posing in front of the famous attraction with Queen Camilla.
Charles and Camilla began their day in the Italian capital with a welcome ceremony full of pomp and pageantry and a spectacular fly-past hosted by President Sergio Mattarella, and ended it among the tourists who flock to the historical amphitheatre.
The royal couple were also pictured arm in arm after a wreath-laying service at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Altare della Patria, Rome’s large national monument to Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy.
Schoolchildren excitedly shouted “He’s coming, that’s the King!” when the royal convoy was first spotted at the Colosseum, and cheers greeted the couple as they stepped from their state Bentley.
The King and Queen, on a four-day state visit to Italy, acknowledged the well-wishers in the Colosseum Piazza with a wave before greeting their hosts who included Italy’s culture minister Alessandro Giuli.
Charles and Camilla went on a meet-and-greet with the public, shaking the hands of dozens of pupils from local schools.
Later, from a viewing platform a few metres from a ruined temple dedicated to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, the couple marvelled at the near 2,000-year-old Colosseum on the eve of their 20th wedding anniversary.
They looked down on the amphitheatre which was neglected for centuries and its marble plundered, but now attracts millions of visitors every year.
Built during the first century, the Colosseum held around 50,000 spectators who watched gladiators compete, including contests between men and animals and larger staged battles under the shade of a huge retractable awning.
After posing for a picture, Charles and Camilla turned to look at the crowds below them who cheered, and acknowledged them with a wave.
The spectators were entertained by the band of the Welsh Guards and Italy’s Sassari Brigade Band, who played a selection of movie tunes including the title theme from the film “Gladiator,” which features spectacular fight scenes at the Colosseum.
The couple met Italian TV presenter and historian Alberto Angela, who spoke about Rome’s history and the Colosseum’s restoration, as they looked at the ruins of the Roman Forum, ancient government buildings close to the amphitheatre.
“Still today, it looks impressive,” the King and Queen were told, as they both nodded in agreement.
They listened as Angela explained how the once bustling heart of ancient Rome was largely destroyed by a major earthquake in the 9th century that cause significant damage to the buildings.
Before they left, ” the King told him the restoration work was “brilliant,” and the Queen said: “It was lovely to be able to see this today.”
Mattarella had earlier hosted a ceremonial welcome at his official residence, the Quirinale Palace, where the King and Queen were escorted into the palace’s quadrangle by mounted Corazzieri Guards and Charles inspected a guard of honour.
Before private talks they watched a joint flypast over the capital by the Italian air force’s aerobatic team, Frecce Tricolori, streaming Italy’s national colours, and the RAF’s Red Arrows, who left red, white and blue smoke in their wake.
GNA
PDC