OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC SERGIO MATTARELLA

The President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella visited the United Kingdom on the 28 – 29 May, as part of a series of official visits to the major international capitals to inaugurate his mandate. His official visit was especially rich, encompassing a meeting with HM the Queen, the Foreign Secretary, the Lord Speaker, as well as holding a lecture at the London School of Economics and commemorating Italy’s entry in World War One at Westminster Abbey.

President Mattarella met with Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. After the meeting, the President visited Her Majesty’s art collection at the “Queen’s Gallery.”

The President of the Republic, accompanied by the Italian Deputy Secretary to Foreign Affairs Benedetto Della Vedova, later met Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond at the Italian Embassy. Afterwards, the President met and greeted the personnel of the Italian Embassy and the representatives of Italian institutions in London.

He later went to the London School of Economics, where he held a lecture on “The Case for Europe: The Italian Vision”, underlining the importance of the Union from an Italian perspective, in a country where the debate about the future permanence in the Union has been ongoing. At the end, the President answered some questions brought to him by the audience, comprised mainly of students.

The following morning, the President of the Italian Republic commemorated at Westminster Abbey the centenary of Italy’s entrance in World War One. He was accompanied to the Tomb of the Uknown Warrior, where he placed a laurel wreath.
The President then met with the Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza, and visited the British parliament to close his official visit to the United Kingdom.



President of the Republic of Italy Sergio Mattarella meets with HM Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace – photo credit
Press Association