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David and Victoria Beckham have been the ‘bellissimi’ of the ball tonight at a blinding royal dinner to advertise Anglo-Italian relations.
The former England footballer, who performed twice for AC Milan, and his fashionista spouse have been shock visitors amongst a slew of celebrities at Highgrove, the King’s non-public dwelling in Gloucestershire, together with designer Donatella Versace and actor Stanley Tucci.
Beckham was final yr introduced as an envoy of the King’s Foundation, the charity’s which runs Highgrove, and has even had non-public conferences there with His Majesty, bonding over a shared love of the countryside and, surprisingly, bee-keeping.
Fortunately the 49-year-old did not should journey far for his consultations with King Charles as his personal sprawling property is only a 30 minute drive away within the Cotswolds.Â
The occasion has been designed to mark the King and Queen’s forthcoming State Visits to the Holy See and the Republic of Italy in early April, which have been introduced this week.
It can be celebrating the most effective of sustainable ‘Slow Food and Slow Fashion’, boating an excellent home-grown menu showcasing the most effective of British produce, with a contact of Italian aptitude.
A reception was held from 7pm in a marquee within the gardens with canapés together with Rare & Pasture ‘Salumi’, Tuscan type Paté and Coppa, Yorkshire Pecorino cheese Puffs and British greens Caponata, washed down with the King’s personal Highgrove Sparkling Wine.
David and Victoria Beckham have been the ‘bellissimi’ of the ball tonight at a blinding royal dinner to advertise Anglo-Italian relations. Pictured: David and Victoria chatting to King Charles on the occasion
The occasion is designed to mark the King and Queen’s forthcoming State Visits to the Holy See and the Republic of Italy in early April, which have been introduced this week. Victoria is sporting a shocking gown designed by her personal model Victoria Beckham
Pictured: Victoria Beckham greets Queen Camilla with a curtsy
King Charles III greets Inigo Lambertini, Italian Ambassador to the UK on the dinner this night which passed off at Highgrove, the King’s non-public dwelling in Gloucestershire
The Queen joined within the style parade sporting a chic Fiona Clare gown
Donatella Versace additionally attended the lavish royal dinner and was seen in a placing pink {custom} robe which was made particularly for the eventÂ
Dame Helen Mirren has opted for a shocking inexperienced gown to attend this night’s occasionÂ
Guests arrived dressed to impress, with Victoria Beckam stealing the present in a jaw-dropping satin robe designed by her personal style model, whereas Donatella Versace opted for a placing custom-made quantity.
The Queen additionally joined within the style parade sporting a chic Fiona Clare gown.
Camilla chatted to the Beckhams to begin with, David telling her how a lot he cherished their Cotswolds property. ‘It’s stunning there, so stunning. We find it irresistible. We are very blissful there. We’ve obtained chickens…’
The Queen interjected: ‘I’ve obtained chickens too!’
He recommended that his spouse wasn’t so eager on gardening however added: ‘I find it irresistible.’
Camilla turned to Dame Helen Mirren who additionally spoke enthusiastically in regards to the King’s work along with his charitable basis.
‘The spirit of your husband all his life,’ Dame Helen mentioned.
‘It’s beautiful to get you right here,’ mentioned Camilla, squeezing her arm.
The King was then launched to the trio, Victoria dropping a chic curtsey.
David instructed him how proud he was of his position as a King’s Foundation ambassador and thanked him for the chance to get entangled.
Victoria admired the work of his college students, telling him: ‘The workmanship and the craftsmanship is phenomenal.’
This Majesty additionally turned mixologist, making an attempt his hand at making his personal martini and getting the giggles when the lemon nearly went up his nostril as he tried to take a sip.
Pictured: Helen Mirren talks with Queen CamillaÂ
Helen Mirren and David Beckham embrace at tonight’s dinner
The menu for the night has been created by world-renowned Chef, Francesco Mazzei and impressed by Italian-American actor Stanley Tucci (pictured), host of Tucci – The Heart of Italy
‘It’s nice!’ he declared.
At the dinner Mr Tucci paid tribute to the King’s Foundation, which he mentioned promotes the King’s imaginative and prescient of ‘dwelling in concord with nature’.
He described how college students excelled in sluggish style and sluggish meals, which he described as ‘two of my obsessions’.
Mr Tucci instructed that gathered of the significance of sharing meals, which he described as a ‘restorative, connective act’.
The dinner itself passed off within the property’s purpose-built entertaining centre, the Orchard Room, and is a conventional Italian-style 4 course meal.  Â
The night’s menu was designed by world-renowned Chef, Francesco Mazzei and impressed by Italian-American actor Stanley Tucci, host of Tucci – The Heart of Italy.Â
Created utilizing solely British elements blended with Italian culinary traditions and native flavours, the menu goals to completely embody the rules of ‘Slow Food’.
Stanley Tucci, King Charles III and Alessandro Palazzi throughout dinner
King Charles seemed to be in excessive spirits for the event
Queen Camilla smiles as she greets visitorsÂ
King Charles Shakes fingers with Inigo Lambertini
Drinks for the night have been created by internationally recognised Italian mixologist Alessandro Palazzi utilizing Italian flavours and herbs foraged from Charles’ beloved Highgrove Gardens.
Guests loved a starter of Scottish Crab Panzanella, washed down with Gavi dei Gavi La Scolca Black label 2023.
The ‘primi’ course (historically pasta) was Westcombe Highland Ricotta and Highgrove high-quality Herbs Ravioli with Isle of Wight Tomato passata with a glass of Gavi dei Gavi La Scolca Black label 2023.
Diners have been then handled to a ‘secondi’ course (historically meat): Suffolk Red Porchetta, Pumpkin and Sage mash and Tuscan kale with a pleasant Barbaresco Gaja 2021.
For desert there was Zuppa Inglese and Biscotti with Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Zenato.
The Slow Food motion was based in Italy in 1986 as a combat again in opposition to the rise of quick meals.
It promotes the usage of native, seasonal delicacies via the consumption of regional crops, seeds and livestock.
Camilla turns to Dame Helen Mirren who additionally spoke enthusiastically in regards to the King’s work along with his charitable basis. ‘The spirit of your husband all his life,’ Dame Helen mentioned. ‘It’s beautiful to get you right here,’ mentioned Camilla, squeezing her arm’
King Charles sipped on a cocktail as he greeted his visitors
 Drinks for the night have been created by internationally recognised Italian mixologist Alessandro Palazzi utilizing Italian flavours and herbs foraged from Charles’ beloved Highgrove Gardens. Guests embrace pioneers and representatives of the Slow Food and Fashion actions
King Charles takes a sip of his drink whereas he talks to Alessandro Palazzi, who’s often known as ‘The Bartender’
Stanley Tucci shakes fingers with the King
Now established in additional than 160 international locations globally, off-shoots embrace the Slow Fashion motion which inspires customers to buy fewer, higher-quality gadgets that last more.Â
Their style business, whereas massively worthwhile, is among the largest polluters on the planet.
Their Majesties joined visitors on the reception the place college students and graduates from The King’s Foundation coaching programmes will present demonstrations on their work in sustainable style and conventional heritage expertise, reminiscent of, millinery, embroidery, furnishings making and style design.
The King, who has lengthy had a ardour for heritage crafts, arrange his basis in 1990 and it at present presents programs for greater than 15,000 college students as yr and boasts partnerships with CHANEL, YOOX Net a Porter and The Snowdon School of Furniture.
Others visitors embrace pioneers and representatives of the Slow Food and Fashion actions.
Queen Camilla admires a hat belonging to a visitor
King Charles talks to a violinistÂ
Camilla chatted to the Beckhams to begin with, David telling her how a lot he cherished their Cotswolds property. ‘It’s stunning there, so stunning. We find it irresistible. We are very blissful there. We’ve obtained chickens…’ Pictured: David Beckham shaking fingers with Queen Camilla
Helen Mirren and the King
Helen Mirren talks to Queen Camilla, David Beckham and Victoria Beckham
Designer Patrick Grant has additionally arrived in type sporting a Scottish Kilt
Stanley Tucci speaking to Victoria Beckham this night
The King will probably be sat at dinner subsequent to the Italian ambassador and Felicity Blunt, the spouse of Stanley Tucci and sister of Emily Blunt, whereas the Queen will probably be subsequent to Mr Tucci. Pictured: Felicity Blunt and Stanley Tucci
King Charles III speaks to David Beckham and Victoria Beckham
The King will probably be sat at dinner subsequent to the Italian ambassador and Felicity Blunt, the spouse of Stanley Tucci and sister of Emily Blunt, whereas the Queen will probably be subsequent to Mr Tucci.
The beautiful tables for round 80 visitors have been laden with recent seasonal flowers and napkins rings made by pupil milliners on King’s Foundation programs.
Chef Francesco Mazzei mentioned he had poured coronary heart and soul into the menu, travelling the size and breadth of the UK sourcing elements.
He mentioned: ‘This is my first time cooking for the King. I’m fairly enthusiastic about that.
‘It is an Italian menu with British produce, effectively 99% as the additional virgin olive oil is Italian.
‘I used to be in Devon two weeks in the past to get the salumi. I went to see the pigs the place the stomach comes from.
‘The tomatoes for the passata are from the Isle of Wight.
‘The cob nuts for the biscotti are from Kent.
King Charles pours a drink for Alessandro Palazzi
Helen Mirren beams as she meets King Charles
Pictured: Actor Stanley Tucci wore a dapper go well with for the event
The dinner itself will happen within the property’s purpose-built entertaining centre, the Orchard Room, and is a conventional Italian-style 4 course meal. Pictured:Â A common view of the setup earlier than the dinner
Guests seemed to be thouroughly having fun with the occasionÂ
Helen Mirren, David Beckham and Victoria Beckham stand collectively earlier than dinner
‘I’m actually blissful to have the ability to create this menu. If they get pleasure from it – I do not know – however I attempted my greatest.
‘I made a report of the place I had been, so it’s all there and documented. I despatched this to the royal chef and mentioned ‘make certain the King sees this’.’
Mixologist Alesandro Palazzi who works at Duke’s in St James’ mentioned he had made particular James Bond impressed martinis to serve to the king and queen.
They are made out of a half measure of Sacred English vermouth from Highgate, 1 half Polish vodka and three components Gordon’s Gin – very a lot shaken and served chilly.
Mr Palazzi mentioned: ‘The martini is shaken very effectively and must be served chilly.’
The King and Queen will undertake State Visits to the Holy See and the Republic of Italy in early April. They will be part of Pope Francis in celebrating the 2025 Jubilee Year.
Jubilee is a particular yr for the Catholic Church – a yr of strolling collectively as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
During Their Majesties’ State Visit to the Republic of Italy, they may also undertake engagements in Rome and Ravenna, celebrating the sturdy bilateral relationship between Italy and the United Kingdom.
The occasion rounds off one of many busiest weeks within the royal calendar in additional than a yr, since each the King and the Princess of Wales have been admitted to hospital for surgical procedure and went onto uncover they each had most cancers.
Working members of the royal household have performed round 50 engagements between them, taking from London to Scotland, the West Country to the Cotswolds and even India and Nepal.
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