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Atlante and Cathedral City in Ravenna for King Charles III: Celebrating Culinary Excellence to Welcome the British Royals
11 April 2025
The State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Italy
From 7 to 10 April 2025, King Charles III and Queen Camilla undertook their first official visit to Italy since ascending the throne. This event, rich in symbolic significance, further strengthened the historical and cultural ties between the United Kingdom and Italy, fostering dialogue among institutions, regions, and communities.
The itinerary included significant stops in Rome and Ravenna, chosen to highlight the deep-rooted connections between the two nations.
Ravenna: A Royal Encounter of Art, History, and Gastronomy
The visit to Ravenna on 10 April was a historic day, filled with symbolism and public participation. Welcomed by President Sergio Mattarella in front of the Town Hall, the British Royals embarked on a journey through culture, memory, and tradition. King Charles visited iconic sites of Ravenna’s art, such as the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and completed a mosaic dedicated to him at the Academy of Fine Arts. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla followed a literary itinerary focusing on the figure of Byron.
Following a meeting with the City Council and some war veterans, King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted the crowd from the balcony of Palazzo Merlato, before exploring the stalls of a market set up in their honour in Piazza del Popolo. Atlante participated in this event with the Cathedral City brand, the UK’s number one cheddar.
In Ravenna’s main square, a celebration of Emilia-Romagna’s agri-food and artisanal excellence took place, featuring a small market showcasing various local products paired with British specialties. Cathedral City cheddar was presented alongside a typical regional product: Romagna mustard.
A Symbolic Moment for Atlante: Natasha Linhart Meets King Charles III
During the visit of King Charles and President Mattarella to the stands, Natasha Linhart, CEO of Atlante, had the honour of presenting the project developed in collaboration with Saputo Dairy UK for the distribution of Cathedral City cheddar in Italy.
This moment held significant symbolic value, offering an opportunity to strengthen the dialogue between culinary cultures and promote food as a means of fostering relationships between peoples.
After the Royals’ visit, the general public flocked to the square to explore the market and taste the products. The pairing of Cathedral City cheddar with Romagna mustard was particularly well-received, exemplifying how the union of two cultures can enrich and enhance their respective local products.
A Collaborative Exchange Among Italian Culinary Realities
The market featured gastronomic excellence from across Italy. The Royals were guided by Chef Massimo Bottura through stands offering Anglo-Italian specialties: from Modena’s PDO balsamic vinegar paired with Scotch Beef PGI, to Romagna piadina with Scottish salmon, and Parmigiano Reggiano PDO in various maturations paired with Scotch whisky.
Chef Carlo Cracco prepared a dish for the King featuring Welsh Lamb PGI.
The event also included moments of entertainment: the charismatic Max Mariola and Stefano Paciotti, social media stars, prepared—amidst jokes and laughter—a tasting of caramelised figs with squacquerone cheese and Mora Romagnola ham, delighting all attendees.
Participating in such significant events reaffirms our commitment to valuing food as a universal language, capable of uniting stories, countries, and visions.
