A “high profile” visit to Rome is on the cards for the Prince and Princess of Wales next year, it has been revealed. Prince William and Princess Kate are due to stop off in Italy as part of their royal tour 2024.
Kensington Palace has not officially announced the trip, but the Daily Mail has claimed the overseas working tour will be Kate’s first in more than a year. The publication said talks have been underway at the “highest level” for next year’s plans.
A date has been “pencilled in”, but this has not yet been revealed, and possibly due to the fact it has not been officially set in stone behind palace walls.
The tour stop in Rome may also include a meeting with Pope Francis, 87. But it’s claimed nothing has been signed off yet, especially as the pope’s health continues to deteriorate. Fears grow around the pope’s health after he suddenly cancelled his appearance at Cop28 in Dubai.
While Kensington Palace remains tight lipped over the Waleses’ 2024 plans, they have specified that details will be announced soon.
The visit will be Princess Kate’s first working trip aboard in over a year, and both Kate and William’s first to Italy. Rome will also mark the couple’s first inaugural appearance on behalf of the Government as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
This is due to the couple’s trip to Boston last December as part of William’s Earthshot Prize – which was a personal initiative. Despite this, a spokesperson said: “We look forward to announcing the Prince and Princess’ travel plans in due course.”
Kate and William’s last Government trip – to the Caribbean in March 2022 – was beset with a host of PR problems. Villagers in Belize used the couple’s visit to stage a host of protests over indigenous land issues – but their trip to Italy is set to be different.
Italy still holds great interest in the Royal Family and the couple will likely to be greatly welcomed in the country.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have visited Rome twice in the last few years – both prior to Charles’ reign.
The couple paid a visit to Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 and Pope Francis in 2017.