King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a star-studded dinner at Highgrove House on February 7, featuring renowned personalities as part of their celebration of Italian cuisine, coinciding with their upcoming state visit to Italy.
The event was attended by Victoria and David Beckham, Donatella Versace, and actress Dame Helen Mirren, alongside the Italian-American actor and food enthusiast Stanley Tucci and the Italian ambassador to the UK, Iñigo Lambertini. This upscale gathering centered around the theme of sustainable ‘slow food,’ reflecting the royal couple's commitment to environmental responsibility.
Guests enjoyed creations from renowned Italian chef Francesco Mazzei, inspired by Tucci's culinary explorations showcased in the series Tucci: The Heart of Italy. The event highlighted local and sustainable ingredients, with dishes like Scottish crab panzanella and Yorkshire pecorino cheese puffs featuring prominently on the menu.
“This is my first time cooking for the King,” Mazzei expressed excitement about the occasion. “I made sure to source 99% of the ingredients from the UK, with just the extra virgin olive oil coming from Italy.” He emphasized the aim of embodying the principles of slow food and honoring traditional culinary values.
Between courses, King Charles made martinis under the guidance of Italian mixologist Alessandro Palazzi. With humor, Charles remarked on his efforts, causing laughter as he playfully struggled with the preparation. Palazzi assessed the King’s skills positively, stating, “He was good.”
During his speech, Charles expressed gratitude for the attendees, saying, “It is a great joy for my wife and I to welcome you all to Highgrove.” He began and concluded his address with greetings spoken in Italian, which won applause from the guests. The King acknowledged the dinner's significance, saying, “Let me propose a toast: to Italy’s timeless food culture, so loved here in the United Kingdom and across the world.”
The Slow Food initiative promotes the right to quality food and the preservation of traditional culinary arts. This movement, founded by Carlo Petrini in response to the rise of fast food, underpins the philosophy celebrated during the event. Charles has long championed this cause, aligning it with the royal family's sustainable practices.
Notably, the dinner also featured elements of slow fashion, as students from the King’s Foundation displayed sustainable fashion efforts, illustrating how the royal couple supports both culinary and fashion sustainability.
The royal couple's state visit to Italy, scheduled for early April, coincides with their 20th wedding anniversary and includes meetings with Pope Francis at the Vatican. They plan to explore cities renowned for their cultural heritage, such as Ravenna, famous for its early Christian mosaics.
The dinner at Highgrove symbolizes King Charles' dedication to integrating sustainability within royal engagements, showcasing how food and fashion can unite powerful figures around shared ethical beliefs.
With the excitement surrounding their Italian tour, this event marks another chapter in the King and Queen's royal agenda, promoting both cultural appreciation and environmental stewardship.