#StateVisit
Diplomatic Dinners and Political Theatre
#StateVisit
Diplomatic Dinners and Political Theatre
State visits are like those big family reunions where everyone’s on their best behaviour, even though half the room secretly can’t stand each other and someone definitely owes someone else money. Leaders arrive grinning like cousins who haven’t spoken since that messy trade dispute, exchange gifts no one understands (“Thank you for this... ceremonial fishing spear?”), and endure elaborate dinners where nobody touches the food because they're too busy pretending to laugh at diplomatic jokes. There’s always one overeager staffer filming everything like it’s a wedding, and at least one awkward cultural moment that’ll live forever on the internet. It’s warm, weird, overly formal — and just like family, nobody really knows what they’re doing, but everyone claps anyway.
King Charles and PM Meloni Share Laughter in First Meeting at Villa Doria Pamphili
- Wednesday, 09 April 2025
King Charles met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for the first time during his state visit to Rome, and their conversation left her in stitches. The pair took a tour of the Villa Doria Pamphili's gardens and architecture, laughing and gesticulating throughout their time together. They found common ground discussing the garden, including its mazes and fountain, before sitting down for a conversation inside a small room overlooking the garden. This was the King's first meeting with Prime Minister Meloni, as he spent his 20th wedding anniversary with her on the outskirts of Rome.
