The King had a lighthearted moment as he planted a tree during his last day in Italy, joking about his hopes to see it grow. With a playful tone, he said, “Well, I do hope I’ll still be around to see this little guy get a bit taller!” The small crowd gathered in the gardens of the British ambassador’s home in Rome laughed along with him, knowing he’s currently battling cancer but still keeping his spirits high.
After carefully placing the young tree in the ground, he did his usual tradition giving the shovel a cheerful wave in the air before setting it down. Turning to the embassy staff watching him, he pointed at the freshly planted sapling and, with the practicality of any gardener, noted, “It could use some water now!” Then, with a bit of ceremony, he revealed a small plaque marking the special occasion.
Earlier in the day, he had wandered through the villa’s gardens, chatting easily with staff and their families. With a twinkle in his eye, he teased, “Is there anyone actually left working in the office today, or have you all come out here?”
His visit wasn’t all just fun and jokes, though. He spent serious time talking with experts from the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA), an organization he helped create to encourage smarter, more natural ways of running the world’s economy. These are people working on big ideas like how nature itself can be part of the solution to climate change, health problems, and protecting wildlife.
He moved between different groups, listening intently. One team explained how being in nature helps people heal, and he asked if they’d discovered any new plant-based medicines. Another group talked about the harm invasive species cause and how to protect delicate ecosystems. Scientists then showed him high-tech tools they use to measure how trees are coping with rising temperatures and pollution.
As he and the Queen prepared to leave for their next stop in Ravenna, he paused to thank the villa staff warmly. “You’ve all been wonderful thank you so much for taking such good care of us,” he said, his gratitude clear. It was a simple, human moment to end a visit that mixed laughter, serious environmental work, and the quiet hope that like the tree he just planted good things will keep growing.
