The King and Queen will celebrate Italian cuisine with a special black-tie dinner at Highgrove this Friday. The event will feature Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci, known for his love of food, and Inigo Lambertini, the Italian ambassador to the UK.
The dinner, held at the King’s Gloucestershire estate, will showcase a menu designed by renowned Italian chef Francesco Mazzei. The dishes, inspired by Tucci’s TV series Tucci – The Heart of Italy, combine Italian culinary traditions with British ingredients, reflecting the principles of the Slow Food movement.
A Feast for the Senses
The evening’s menu has been created using only British ingredients, carefully blended with Italian flavors. The goal is to honor the Slow Food movement, which promotes sustainable eating practices. Drinks for the event will be crafted by Italian mixologist Alessandro Palazzi, who will incorporate herbs from the King’s own Highgrove Gardens.
The Slow Food initiative, founded in 1986 by food writer Carlo Petrini in the Italian town of Bra, was sparked by opposition to the opening of a McDonald’s in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna. The movement advocates for “good, clean, and fair food” and supports the preservation of traditional, regional cuisines.
The King, a long-time supporter of Slow Food, continues to champion sustainable food practices through events like this dinner.
Promoting Sustainable Fashion
In addition to the culinary celebration, the event will highlight Slow Fashion, a movement that encourages sustainable buying habits. The King and Queen will meet students from the King’s Foundation, who will showcase their skills in creating garments that emphasize sustainability and heritage.
Slow Fashion advocates for buying fewer, high-quality items that are built to last, promoting a more sustainable approach to clothing consumption.
Upcoming State Visits to Italy and the Vatican
In other royal news, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the King and Queen will embark on state visits to Italy and the Vatican in April. This trip will coincide with the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary.
During their visit to Italy, the King and Queen will tour Rome and Ravenna, a city known for its early Christian mosaic artwork. They will also meet Pope Francis at the Vatican and take part in the Catholic Church’s Pilgrims of Hope jubilee year.
This marks another busy year for the King, who, despite his ongoing battle with cancer, continues to make regular overseas trips. The announcement comes shortly after his visit to Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
The King, as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, also holds a significant role in the Roman Catholic Church’s governance. His role dates back to Henry VIII, who famously split from the Catholic Church to marry Anne Boleyn in the 16th century.
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