Queen Camilla surprised royal fans today as she chose to rewear her wedding outfit to celebrate her 20th anniversary with King Charles.
Her Majesty appeared in the Anna Valentine design, which has been repurposed two decades later by the same designer, for the third-day of the couple’s visit to Italy.
The outfit now features additional embroidery details by the King’s Foundation artisan Beth Somerville.
The Queen chose to wear the frock to attend the Italian Parliament with her husband Charles this afternoon.
She paired the white gown with a pearl necklace, gold bracelets, her engagement ring and a cream handbag.
Camilla originally donned the stunning outfit for her Guildhall civil ceremony, before changing into a dazzling blue ensemble for the reception.
The Queen’s decision to recycle her wedding attire today did not mark the first time she has done so.
In 2007 – a mere two years after her wedding – she broke with tradition by wearing the dress for the opening of the National Assembly for Wales.
Queen Camilla today rewearing her wedding outfit to celebrate her 20-year wedding anniversary with King Charles
King Charles and Queen Camilla during their visit to the Senate of the Republic in Italy today
Her Majesty wears the Anna Valentine design, which has been repurposed two decades later by the same designer
The outfit now features additional embroidery details by the King’s Foundation artisan Beth Somerville
Camilla later changes into a stunning blue dress after rewearing her wedding outfit
Meanwhile, the King made the Italian Parliament roar with laughter this afternoon after his speech was accidentally cut off early.
As he and Camilla enjoyed the third-day of their four-day visit to the European nation – including a meeting with the country’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – the monarch also delivered a message of unity to political representatives.
However, the moving address featured a moment of levity as attendees stood up and clapped while President of the Chamber of Deputies, President Lorenzo Fontana, accidentally thought it had concluded – but a baffled Charles, 76, was not done.
‘I’m nearly finished,’ the royal quipped, after getting the giggles, as he wrapped up the delivery, earning chuckles from those in the audience.
The monarch’s speech warned that peace was ‘never to be taken for granted’.
Referring to the United Kingdom and Italy’s joint support for Ukraine, as well as the bravery of civilian Italian resistance fighters in the Second World War, he said: ‘Today, sadly, the echoes of those times – which we fervently hoped had been consigned to history – reverberate across our continent.
‘Our younger generations can now see in the news every day on their smartphones and tablets that peace is never to be taken for granted. Britain and Italy stand today united in defence of the democratic values we share.
‘Our countries have both stood by Ukraine in her hour of need – and welcomed many thousands of Ukrainians requiring shelter. Our Armed Forces stand side by side in NATO. We are grateful beyond measure for the role Italy plays in hosting key NATO bases and taking a leading role in so many overseas operations.’
She pairs the white gown with a three-row pearl necklace, gold bracelets and her engagement ring
She pairs the long blue gown with a matching blue necklace and silver bag
Camilla during day three of the royal couple’s State visit to The Republic of Italy
Charles and Camilla smile in their stunning attire during their visit to Italy
Camilla pairs her recycled wedding outfit with a pair of white heels and stunning jewellery
Charles and Camilla attend the state banquet at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, Italy, today
Camilla also pears her beautiful white outfit with a matching cream handbag
He highlighted imminent plans by the Royal Navy to undertake a major exercise in the Mediterranean with Italian forces as ‘a powerful symbol of our cooperation’.
And he praised a joined British, Italian and Japanese air combat programme to build ‘our next generation fighter aircraft’. He added: ‘We will remember the terrible price of war – and of the precious gift of peace.’
The King was the first British monarch to be invited to give a speech to the joint session of the Italian parliament with representatives from both the Upper and Lower House and only the fourth non-Italian to have addressed the chamber from the President’s Podium.
He switched easily between English and Italian, earning him warm applause from his audience, with his wife watching from the ‘Benches of Nine’. Describing himself as ‘enormously touched’ to have been asked he said the gesture was all the more special on their 20th wedding anniversary.
‘Italy is, as I hope you know a country very dear to my heart and that of The Queen – as it is to so many of our countrymen and women,’ he added. ‘I have made eighteen official visits over the past forty years to the Belpaese. It has been one of the pleasures of my life to come to know this irresistible country, and from Turin to Palermo, Verona to Naples, Florence to Trieste, I have learned a little more about this nation and have come to admire it even more.
‘Like any old friend, I have been with you at happier moments and sadder moments in your national life. For instance, I will never forget my visit to Venice with The Queen in 2009, where we saw the magnificently restored La Fenice Opera House – or to Amatrice in 2017, in the aftermath of that tragic earthquake.
‘So I am here today with one purpose: to reaffirm the deep friendship between the United Kingdom and Italy, and to pledge to do all in my power to strengthen that friendship even further in the time that is granted to me as King.’
Emphasising the close links between the two countries, he raised a laugh saying: ‘Our ties go back over two millennia – to those ancient Roman visitors who arrived on our windswept shores. It was the Romans who gave Britons the idea of putting a King’s head on coins – so I am especially grateful to them…
‘And we have benefitted hugely from your influence over what we wear, what we drink and what we eat. I can only hope you will forgive us for occasionally corrupting your wonderful cuisine! We do so with the greatest possible affection…’