King Charles giggles as he meets Italian PM Giorgia Meloni in lively get-together

The headed their separate ways for engagements as they marked their 20th anniversary in Rome today with Charles enjoying a lively meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. meeting, taking a tour of the gardens and Baroque architecture of the Villa Doria Pamphili on the third day of the state visit to Italy.

The pair greeted one another warmly, laughing and gesticulating throughout their time in the 17th century countryside palace with views over Rome and the Vatican. They appeared to find common ground while talking about the garden, which including neat mazes and a fountain, before settling down inside a small room overlooking the garden for conversation.

It is the first time the King has met the current Italian Prime Minister, as he spent the morning of his wedding anniversary with her on the outskirts of Rome. The palace is used as a venue for hosting honoured guests, with the Casino del Bel Respiro described as a Baroque-style building originally built to house the Pamphilj Family’s art collection.

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The King was welcomed onto the red carpet and shook hands with Italy’s first female Prime Minister welcomed on a red carpet and invited to inspect the Guards drawn from the Italian army cavalry.

The pair paused for a photograph at the entrance of Casino del Bel Respiro, before making their way around the ornate white building to the large manicured gardens behind. There, speaking in English, the Prime Minister appeared to point out points of artistic or architectural interest, with the King visibly interested in seeing them.

The pair spent a few moments in front of the fountain, where the Prime Minister - who is fluent in Italian, French and Spanish - laughed at one of the King's jokes as he pointed towards the maze. They then took a seat inside a small, white stone room, looking towards the garden views outside and making small talk as they waited for official photographs to be taken. They then had a private conversation.

The King also spent time inside the building, where he presented members of his delegation, including Foreign Secretary and Ambassador Baron Llewellyn of Steep, and met their Italian counterparts. Before the King departed in the State Bentley, he shook hands with Prime Minister Meloni, who wore a cream suit and white heels, one more time and appeared to than her for the morning. The King spent 50 minutes at Villa Doria Pamphili, before departing for his second engagement.

His meeting with the Italian Prime Minster came as the Queen greeted students at an excited Italian state school this morning with a cheery 'buongiorno'. Demonstrating her 'rudimentary' knowledge of Italian, Camilla, 77, toured the Istituto Comprensivo Alessandro Manzoni and met youngsters who have been taking part in a competition to mark the 80th Anniversary of the British Council, describing or imagining a day in the life of their favourite literary characters.

Many of the children were dressed up as characters from Paddington, a particular favourite. The Queen, wearing a navy and white spotted dress by Fiona Clare, was greeted outside by hundreds of cheering and flag-waving youngsters, squealing with delight.

She was met by Brian Young, Director of the British Council, who introduced the Italian Minister for Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara, and other dignitaries including the Headteacher of Istituto Alessandro Manzoni, Preside Simona Simola. Arriving at the first, brightly-decorated classroom, Her Majesty joined children having an English lesson and greeted them with good morning in Italian.

English teacher Barbara Bucciarelli explained that the children wanted to sing "Let’s Learn English Together" for her. "You’re learning English, perhaps you can teach me some Italian," she said. The children all sweetly bowed and said "Good morning Your Majesty". Afterwards she was given questions to ask the children about Paddington including: "Who is your favourite character in Paddington?"

The children chorused loudly 'Paddington' and put their answers in a suitcase. Before she left the Queen was given a bouquet of flower. 'Grazie' she said. "Thank you very much. It was lovely to meet you and learn all about Paddington."

Afterwards she walked through the corridors lined with excited children and watch a modern dance, before going into the assembly hall to meet winners of the the British Council’s literary competition, which marks its 80th anniversary.

Minister Valditara spoke about the joy of reading, saying: "In the age of digital communications the paper book is still a key reference point." In an off-the-cuff speech the Queen replied: "I just wanted to say how impressed I am already at the way you speak English. I suspect I need to come to the school to learn Italian. My Italian is very poor. I think it’s wonderful what you are doing for literacy and literature. It’s so important. You’ve obviously got a lot of talent here so thank you for having me."

She then handed out certificates to the competition winners and cut a celebratory cake. It is understood the Queen had been keen to meet children and teachers in a local school to reinforce the benefit of developing a love of literature from a very young age, and champion the need to help children to learn to read.

Before she departed the hall she gave a gift of a selection of books to the headteacher for the children, pretending to struggle at the weight, and joining a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to the British Council in English and Italian

After a group photo with the everyone in the Assembly Hall, Her Majesty went outside to more cheers where she was presented with wedding anniversary cards, created by the students and a surprise gift of a margarita pizza from a local family restaurant, Pizza Viola, by owner Federica Viola. Marguerita was originally named after an Italian queen. "This looks delicious, we shall enjoy it later," she said. She also thanked the youngsters profusely for her cards.