He said he was “honoured” by Italian President Sergio Mattarella’s “kind invitation to make a State visit to Italy” as he became the first British monarch to address Italy’s parliament.

“I hope I am not ruining the language of Dante so much that I am no longer invited to Italy,” Charles quipped.

“It is, above all, a great honour to have been invited to speak to all of you, the first time for a British sovereign before this fundamental democratic institution.

“Italy is a country very dear to my heart and to that of the Queen, as it is to many British people.”

While speaking in Italian he said it was important for him to have returned to Italy, having made many visits as the prince on Wales, on the 20th anniversary of his wedding with Queen Camilla, which the royal couple are celebrating on Wednesday.

Charles then appealed to MPs to forgive Britons for occasionally spoiling Italian cuisine, saying they did so with the greatest affection.

“We have benefited enormously from your influence on what we wear, what we drink and what we eat,” he said.

“I can only hope that you will forgive us for occasionally spoiling your wonderful cuisine! We do so with the greatest possible affection.”

Meanwhile, excitement was high at Rome’s Alessandro Manzoni school and the whole of the Appio Latino district that it belongs to during a visit by Queen Camilla on Wednesday.

King Charles III’s wife, who was accompanied by Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara, was greeted by small children waving union flags.

Wearing a white-and-black-polka-dot dress, Camilla was at the school to meet pupils, teachers and Brian Young, the director of the Italian branch of the British Council, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

Camilla also attended an English lesson with the children.

The Queen awarded diplomas to the winners of a competition and gave a selection of books to the headmistress of the school, where former Roma captain Francesco Totti and Mayor Roberto Gualtieri once studied.

“It’s a joy to welcome the Queen, we’re all happy,” said the headmistress, Simona Sinola.

ANSA