LONDON/ROME
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom will visit Italy and the Vatican City on April 3rd, announced Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
The Queen, accompanied by her spouse Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, will pay a visit at the invitation of the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will attend a private lunch to be hosted by Napolitano at the Presidential Palace.
"Following the private lunch the Queen and Duke will have an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican City, " wrote the statement.
The Italian Presidential Palace, Quirinale and the Vatican's official website, news.va also announced the official visit by the Queen and the Duke.
The one-day visit of the royal couple to Italy was originally scheduled last year but was delayed due to the Queen's ill health.
Additionally, the 87-year-old Queen, also head of the Church of the England, and Prince Philip are to make a three-day state visit to France in June.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
