King Charles joked about his health issues as he planted a tree in Rome

He quipped to members of the embassy who had gathered to watch: "Well I do hope that I shall live long enough to see a little bit of growth in the tree."

Charles then piled soil over the tree and joked: "It's not manure is it? It usually is?"

A plaque was then unveiled by the king to commemorate the occasion and once it had been revealed, he pointed at his planted tree and quipped: "Needs a bit of water."

After thanking the embassy staff for their hospitality during his stay at the villa, the king and queen then headed to the airport to travel to Ravenna for the rest of their engagements during their state visit.

The couple - who were marking the 80th anniversary of Ravenna's liberation in the Second World War - were greeted by crowds dressed in red, white and blue, some of whom had waited up to seven hours to see the royals.

Antique dealer Chiara Simonini was quoted by the Telegraph as saying: "We love England, the Royal Family, we are huge fans. We love the history and their sense of duty.

"We have travelled to the United Kingdom several times to watch some of the events but the fact that King Charles is coming here to us now is magic."

Giorgia Lucenti added: "It's a gift for us. We thought it was wonderful that King Charles spoke in Italian in the parliament yesterday. It showed enormous respect. We would give him 10 out of 10. He was perfect."

Annarita Maserati - who was accompanied by her 11-year-old daughter Victoria, who was named after the 19th century monarch - praised Charles for being "brave" and continuing to work while undergoing cancer treatment.

She said: "I met her father, who is also Italian, in London under the statue of Queen Victoria.

"We love the history of your country and the royal family is that. I am so very happy King Charles has come here, especially as he has been unwell. He is a brave man."