The visit will support the modern-day relationships between the UK and Italy, reflecting “shared values, history and culture”.
That includes Italian food – and as a warm-up to the visit, the King hosted a dinner at Highgrove, with the menu inspired by American-Italian actor Stanley Tucci.
The King will meet Italy’s president and prime minister and become the first UK monarch to address both houses of the Italian parliament.
The royal visitors will be guests at a state banquet.
And military links will be promoted with a joint flypast over Rome by the Italian air force and the UK’s Red Arrows.
In Ravenna, the royal couple will view the tomb of the Italian writer Dante, and the Queen will tour a museum commemorating the poet Lord Byron.