Queen begins Italian visit

It is the Queen's first state visit for 20 years

The Queen arrives in Italy on Monday for a visit that will include a meeting with the Pope and a "garlic free" tour of some of the country's cultural assets.

She will meet the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, not in her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England but as head of state.

During the first state visit to the country for 20 years, Her Majesty and the Pope are expected to discuss the relationship between the Roman Catholic and Anglican communities, and the situation in Northern Ireland.

This week's four-day tour has sparked much interest in the Italian press, not merely due to the Queen's meeting with the Pope, but because of her dislike of garlic.

'Garlic free'

Chefs at the Quirinale Palace, the Rome residence of the Italian President where the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are staying, have been told to spare the garlic - essential to many Italian dishes - when catering for the Royals.

Away from the Queen's table, strict Vatican protocol may be relaxed when Her Majesty meets the Pope on Tuesday.

The Queen has requested a "garlic free" visit

It is the third time the Queen has visited the Vatican and the second during the tenure of the present Pope.

She first met Pope John Paul in Italy 20 years ago, and then again when he visited Britain in 1982.

British monarchs have been paying visits to Popes since Edward VII in 1903.

In 1980, during a full-scale state visit to the Vatican, as on her visit to Pope John XXIII in 1961, the Queen dressed entirely in black, with a tiara holding a cascade veil in place.

This time, officials have been discussing the possibility that the Queen might wear something more colourful.

Royal tastes

Diplomatically, the Royal visit to the Vatican is followed by a trip to the Anglican Centre in the Italian capital.

With the Royal ban on garlic, the Queen and Prince Philip hope to avoid breathing fumes over the many people they will meet during the visit.

The focus of the tour will be the meeting with the Pope

Also banned are difficult-to-eat spaghetti and potentially messy tomato sauces.

Before any overseas visit, Buckingham Palace warns the hosts that the Queen does not like anything too spicy or exotic.

There is also an absolute ban on serving shellfish, for fear of upsetting the Royal tummy.

Cultural highlights

Immediately following the 20 minute meeting with the elderly and frail Pope John Paul, the Queen and Prince Philip will view the Sistine Chapel.

Other highlights of the state visit include a trip to Milan and a concert at the world-famous La Scala opera house.

They will also view Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.