Prince Charles and Camilla meet Italian President Mattarella

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall began their last day of engagements in Italy this week by meeting the country’s president.

They entered the palace where the president was waiting to greet the couple and their entourage.

Charles and Camilla were invited to sit down on an luxury sofa for an official photograph before they embarked on what was described as a tête-a-tête meeting lasting around half an hour.

The Duchess was dressed in an elegant cream coat by her favourite designer, Anna Valentine, with fringing on the shoulders and cream shoes.

Later Charles met Italy’s Prime Minister, Paulo Gentiloni at his official residence, the Palazzo Chigi in Rome, as part of a pre-Brexit charm offensive.

Britain’s Europe Minister Sir Alan Duncan joined the Prince to take part in both the meetings.

His presence is being viewed as a sign of how important so-called royal ‘soft power’ is being viewed by the British Government as it embarks on its Brexit negotiations.

The royals also received a warm welcome from Pope Francis at the Vatican yesterday!

This story first appeared on The Express