King Charles, Queen Camilla leave drama behind to begin historic visit

King Charles and Queen Camilla are leaving behind the drama of the past week and bringing attention to an important trip, which has been in the works for a long time.

The Buckingham Palace announced earlier this month that the monarchs will be visiting the Holy See to join Pope Leo XIV in celebrating the Jubilee Year for a two-day visit.

The two-day visit, starting from Wednesday, October 22, is holds historic significance. This is not only the first time the King and Queen will be meeting with Pope Leo since his appointment in May 2025 at the Apostolic Palace, but also a major step for Anglican-Catholic relations.

Charles and Pope Leo will become the first monarch and pontiff to pray together at a public service since the Reformation, over 500 years ago, as they bring the focus on unity and environmental care.

Charles and Camilla will attend the ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel and the theme for the service is ‘Care for Creation’.

The statement from the Palace explained that the Papal Jubilee occurs every 25 years, and is a special time for the Catholic Church.

During the visit, they will also celebrate the ecumenical work by the Church of England and the Catholic Church, reflecting the Jubilee’s theme of walking together as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.

The trip comes as King Charles forced his disgraced brother to step away from his royal titles and honours amid the growing allegations against him.

Andrew released a statement explaining that the move was made after a discussion with the King and his “immediate and wider family” as the accusations against him “distract” from the work of the royals.

It is understood that Charles hopes his visit to the Vatican will no longer be overshadowed by headlines about his shamed brother Andrew.