Britain’s Queen Elizabeth met Pope Francis for the first time on Thursday (03.04.14).
The monarch – who was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh – embarked on her first visit to Rome in 14 years where she was more than 20 minutes late to meet the leader of the Catholic Church following a meal with President Giorgio Napolitano at his official residence, the Quirinale palace.
She has been reported saying: "Sorry to keep you waiting. We were having a very pleasant lunch with the president."
The queen gifted the pope with a range of treats including Balmoral whisky, a rib of Windsor beef, and honey produced in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
She said: "I’ve also brought something from all our estates which is for you personally and two extra bits which wouldn’t fit into the basket."
The pope gave her a blue orb which had a silver cross on top for her eight-month-old grandchild Prince George – son of Duchess Catherine and Prince William.
He said: "It’s for the little boy."
Elizabeth replied: "That’s very nice, he will be thrilled."
Before adding: "When he’s a little older."
Italy will have another royal visit soon as Prince Harry is due to attend the 70th anniversary commemoration of the bloody Battle of Monte Cassino next month.
Queen Elizabeth visits Pope Francis at the Vatican
