State Visit from the President of Italy: March 15-17, 2005
 

Tomorrow Italian President and his wife will pay a State Visit to Great Britain by the invitation of The Queen.They will visit from 15th to 17th March 2005.Please post pics and informations here.

I am ready. :)

yeb lol really funny.

Programme for the State Visit - from the official website:
 

TUESDAY, 15 MARCH 2005

Morning
The President of the Italian Republic and Signora Ciampi arrive at Heathrow Airport.

The President of the Italian Republic and Signora Ciampi are met by The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester at the Italian Ambassador's Residence, 4 Grosvenor Square, London W1.

Ceremonial Welcome by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh on Horse Guards.

Carriage Procession to Buckingham Palace.

Arrive at Buckingham Palace.

Afternoon
Visit the British Museum.

Talks with the Prime Minister at No. 10 Downing Street.

Evening
State Banquet in the Ball Room at Buckingham Palace.

WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH 2005

Morning
Signora Ciampi visits Tate Modern.

Visit to Westminster Abbey.

Visit to the Palace of Westminster.

Presentation to the City of London in Guildhall Yard.

Afternoon
Reception followed by Luncheon at Guildhall.

Reception for the Italian Community at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.

Evening
The President of the Italian Republic and Signora Ciampi give a Banquet in honour of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh at the Italian Ambassador's Residence, 4 Grosvenor Square, London W1.

THURSDAY, 17 MARCH 2005

Morning
Call at Buckingham Palace by the Leader of the Opposition.

Call at Buckingham Palace by the Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh bid farewell and The President of the Italian Republic and Signora Ciampi depart Buckingham Palace.

Visit the "Luxury in Living" Exhibition at the Royal Academy.

Afternoon
Visit Oxford.

Receive an Honorary Doctorate at a Congregation of the University at the Sheldonian Theatre.

Evening
Dinner in Christ Church, Oxford.

FRIDAY, 18 MARCH 2005

Morning
Visit Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

Depart Royal Air Force Brize Norton for Italy.

Day 1 - Arrival
 

From AAP/AP:

Day 1 - Arrival:
 

Quite the same but some new, these are from ANP:

Really thanks so much for pics.So great.

But i think The Queen seem really love this outfit.She has just worn it on 3rd March already.

So who often be at The State Banquet.Do you know?I know The Queen,Prince Philip,maybe the Duke and The Duchess of Gloucester.How about the others Wessexes,Charles and Camilla,Anne,Kents,..?

Yes, she's beautiful. I'm afraid that "Signora Franca" has to improve.


Picture from the official site of the President of the Republic (it's the only one for now).

Site (Italian only): https://www.quirinale.it/homepage.asp

The entire Royal Family always attend State Banquets. Prince Michael of Kent's website says that Prince and Princess Michael are representing the Royal Family at the Guildhall lunch tomorrow and they are also attending the return banquet at the Italian Embassy but I don't know what other Roysls are going to that.

The Court Circular today reads;

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh gave a State Banquet this evening in honour of The President of the Italian Republic and Signora Ciampi at which The Prince of Wales, The Duke of York, The Princess Royal and Rear Admiral Timothy Laurence, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were present.

Other pictures from https://www.quirinale.it/homepage.asp

Caption:
LONDON, MARCH 15: (L-R) Prince Andrew, the Duchess of Gloucester, The President of the Italian Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, his wife Signora Ciampi and the Duke of Gloucester visit the British Museum to view the 'Spinario' on March 15, 2005 in London, England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)

more from Getty

Day 1 - the arrival & ceremonial welcome
 

More from Getty:

Day 1 - the arrival & ceremonial welcome
 

Even more from Getty:

Day 1 - The Queen's State Banquet for the President
 

The first ones are from Polfoto:

Really thanks lots everybody for pics.

Her Majesty really looks elegant at the State Banquet.