The Queen and his husband arrived by private jet in the Italian capital for only a few hours, at the invitation of Italian president Giorgio Napolitano. Before the meeting with the Pope Francis, they dined with the President.
The Queen’s visit at the Vatican had little of rigid protocol, from clothing to the place of meeting.
The Queen declined to meet in the grand rooms of the Apostolic Palace, as there were concerns about the distance and stairs the elderly monarch would have to cope with. The Pope and the Queen discussed for 20 minutes in the Paul VI Hall, a modern building close to the basic residence of the Pope.
They changed gifts and Pope Francis offered a priceless one for the little Prince George, inscribed with:” From Pope Francis to Prince George of Cambridge.” Prince Philip received from the Pope three gold medals bearing the Pontiff’s face. The royal couple presented to Pope Francis two signed pictures of themselves in silver frames and a hamper of a lot of goodies, including honey, aromatherapy soaps, Balmoral whisky and even 12 eggs. Pope Francis indicated he would give the hamper to a local poor house.
