King Charles urges close ties in the historic speech of the Italian parliament as war rages in Europe
Rome (AP) – King Charles III stressed in a historic speech at the Italian Parliament on Wednesday that the close ties between Italy and Britain are needed to call for the defense of shared values during the European war.
Charles, the first British monarch and the fourth foreign leader to speak of the joint meeting of the Italian parliament, focused on the long history between Britain and Italy and their shared culture, returning to the ancient Romans.
“Our younger generations can see their smartphones and tablets in the news every day, and that’s never going to be taken for granted,” Charles said.
The British King on his third day of his visit to Italy was seen as part of London’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with European allies and amid global turmoil and instability.
“Our country is standing in Ukraine at a time when she needs shelter and welcomes thousands of Ukrainians in need of shelter,” he said in his speech.
Charles added that Italian and British armed forces “stand side by side” as part of the NATO alliance, noting a shared plan between the two countries and Japan to develop new fighter jets.
“It will generate thousands of jobs in our country and talk about our trust between us,” he said.
During their trip to Italy, King Charles and Queen Camilla also mark their 20th anniversary of their marriage, which will be further celebrated Wednesday night at a state dinner hosted by Quirinale Palace President Sergio Mattarella.
Earlier Wednesday, Charles met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Roman Villa Doria Pamphili, and took a walk in the garden of the 17th-century palace.
In a few weeks, he will join Mattarella in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Climate change warning
In his speech, Charles also spoke enthusiastically about the threats facing the planet, recalling another speech he delivered in Italy 16 years ago and how his “warning” about the urgency of climate challenges was “suppressed by events.”
He noted that every generation often experiences extreme storms, and there is a problem every year that “numerous precious plant and animal species face extinction in our lives.”
Part of the speech was delivered in Italian, and the king prompted the Italian MPs to applause: “By the way, I hope I don’t destroy Dante’s language so much that I will never be invited to Italy again.”
Charles’ first trip abroad this year after being taken to the hospital for side effects related to his ongoing cancer treatment.
