Palace issues update as King Charles, Camilla attend service with Pope Leo XIV

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived inside the Vatican to meet Pope Leo, for what is being marked as a significant visit in the history of Anglican-Catholic relations.

In the honour of the royal couple, dressed in black, the national anthem of Great Britain - God Save the King – was played, as the Swiss Guard lined up in ceremony at the Apostolic Palace on Thursday, October 23.

In an update issued by Buckingham Palace, glimpses of the ceremony were shown. The Swiss Guard, who have been providing protection for the head of the Catholic Church for centuries, were waiting outside before the royal couple arrived.

Before the official ceremony kicked off, the monarchs were led by Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza at the courtyard of San Damaso and Charles shook hands with him before taking his position.

The King and Queen will be celebrating the Papal Jubilee which is held every 25 years. During the ecumenical service in the famous Sistine Chapel, Charles will become the first British monarch to pray at a public service with the Pope, head of the Catholic Church, since the Reformation.