David and Victoria Beckham were the ‘bellissimos’ of the ball tonight at a dazzling royal dinner to promote Anglo-Italian relations.
The retired English footballer, who previously appeared twice for AC Milan, and his stylish wife made an unexpected appearance alongside numerous other famous personalities at Highgrove, the private residence of the King in Gloucestershire. The attendees included renowned designer Donatella Versace and actor Stanley Tucci.
Beckham was recently named an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, the organization that oversees Highgrove. He has even had private discussions with His Majesty at the estate, where they bonded over their mutual fondness for the countryside and an unexpected shared interest in beekeeping.
Thankfully, the 49-year-old did not have to venture far for his meetings with King Charles, as his own extensive property is just a short 30-minute drive away in the Cotswolds.
The event 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 were announced this week.
It is also celebrating the best of sustainable ‘Slow Food and Slow Fashion’, boating a glorious home-grown menu showcasing the best of British produce, with a touch of Italian flair.
A reception is being held from 7pm in a marquee in the gardens with canapés including Rare & Pasture ‘Salumi’, Tuscan style Paté and Coppa, Yorkshire Pecorino cheese Puffs and British vegetables Caponata , washed down with the King’s own Highgrove Sparkling Wine.
The dinner itself will take place in the estate’s purpose-built entertaining centre, the Orchard Room, and is a traditional Italian-style four course meal.  Â
The menu for the evening has been created by world-renowned Chef, Francesco Mazzei and inspired by Italian-American actor Stanley Tucci, host of Tucci – The Heart of Italy.Â
Created using entirely British ingredients blended with Italian culinary traditions and local flavours, the menu aims to fully embody the principles of ‘Slow Food’.
Drinks for the evening will be created by internationally recognised Italian mixologist Alessandro Palazzi using Italian flavours and herbs foraged from Charles’ beloved Highgrove Gardens.
Guests will enjoy a starter of Scottish Crab Panzanella, washed down with Gavi dei Gavi La Scolca Black label 2023.
The ‘primi’ course (traditionally pasta) is Westcombe Highland Ricotta and Highgrove fine Herbs Ravioli with Isle of Wight Tomato passata with a glass of Gavi dei Gavi La Scolca Black label 2023.
Diners are then being treated to a ‘secondi’ course (traditionally meat): Suffolk Red Porchetta, Pumpkin and Sage mash and Tuscan kale with a nice Barbaresco Gaja 2021.
For desert there is Zuppa Inglese and Biscotti with Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Zenato.
The Slow Food movement was founded in Italy in 1986 as a fight back against the rise of fast food.
It promotes the use of local, seasonal cuisine through the consumption of regional plants, seeds and livestock.
Now established in more than 160 countries globally, off-shoots include the Slow Fashion movement which encourages consumers to purchase fewer, higher-quality items that last longer.Â
Their fashion industry, while hugely profitable, is one of the biggest polluters on the planet.
Their Majesties, who are due to arrive a little later this evening, will join guests at the reception where students and graduates from The King’s Foundation training programmes will provide demonstrations on their work in sustainable fashion and traditional heritage skills, such as, millinery, embroidery, furniture making and fashion design.
The King, who has long had a passion for heritage crafts, set up his foundation in 1990 and it currently offers courses for more than 15,000 students as year and boasts partnerships with CHANEL, YOOX Net a Porter and The Snowdon School of Furniture.
Others guests include pioneers and representatives of the Slow Food and Fashion movements.
The King will be sat at dinner next to the Italian ambassador and Felicity Blunt, the wife of Stanley Tucci and sister of Emily Blunt, while the Queen will be next to Mr Tucci.
The stunning tables for around 80 guests were laden with fresh seasonal flowers and napkins rings made by student milliners on King’s Foundation courses.
Chef Francesco Mazzei said he had poured heart and soul into the menu, travelling the length and breadth of the UK sourcing ingredients.
He said: ‘This is my first time cooking for the King. I’m quite excited about that.
‘It is an Italian menu with British produce, well 99% as the extra virgin olive oil is Italian.
‘I was in Devon two weeks ago to get the salumi. I went to see the pigs where the belly comes from.
‘The tomatoes for the passata are from the Isle of Wight.
‘The cob nuts for the biscotti are from Kent.
‘I am really happy to be able to create this menu. If they enjoy it – I don’t know – but I tried my best.
‘I made a report of where I had been, so it is all there and documented. I sent this to the royal chef and said “make sure the King sees this”.’
Mixologist Alesandro Palazzi who works at Duke’s in St James’ said he had made special James Bond inspired martinis to serve to the king and queen.
They are made from a half measure of Sacred English vermouth from Highgate, 1 part Polish vodka and three parts Gordon’s Gin – very much shaken and served cold.
Mr Palazzi said: ‘The martini is shaken very well and has to be served cold.’
The King and Queen will undertake State Visits to the Holy See and the Republic of Italy in early April. They will join Pope Francis in celebrating the 2025 Jubilee Year.
Jubilee is a special year for the Catholic Church – a year of walking together as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
During Their Majesties’ State Visit to the Republic of Italy, they will also undertake engagements in Rome and Ravenna, celebrating the strong bilateral relationship between Italy and the United Kingdom.
The event rounds off one of the busiest weeks in the royal calendar in more than a year, since both the King and the Princess of Wales were admitted to hospital for surgery and went onto discover they both had cancer.
Working members of the royal family have conducted around 50 engagements between them, taking from London to Scotland, the West Country to the Cotswolds and even India and Nepal.
