The British and Italian display teams conducted a joint flyover over Rome in honour of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s state visit to Italy.
On Apr. 8, 2025, the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force’s display team, and the Frecce Tricolori, their Italian Air Force counterparts, flew together over Rome, trailing the colors of both nations as King Charles and Queen Camilla were received by Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace.
The historic flyover, a symbolic gesture underscoring the strengthening military ties between the two countries, marked only the second time a foreign display team has flown with the Frecce Tricolori over Rome. The first took place in November 2021, when the Italian team flew alongside France’s Patrouille de France to mark the signing of the French-Italian Enhanced Cooperation Treaty.
Noteworthy, the Reds flew with 9 aircraft, whereas the Frecce were in 7 (despite the latter being the world’s largest military aerobatic display team flying their display routine with 10 MB-339A/PAN MLU jets).
Today’s flyover could be tracked online, as the RAF jets were flying with their ADS-B transponders turned on.
The Red Arrows shared some stunning images of the joint flyover on social media; photos and footage filmed from a Hawk aircraft flying as chase to the two formations.
It was a pleasure today to support the King and Queen’s state visit to Italy. 🔴⚪🔵 https://t.co/qUd6wPKfkC pic.twitter.com/kFpBDSo9U3
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) April 8, 2025
The royal couple arrived in Italy on Monday for a four-day state visit, during which they will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. Their Airbus A321 was escorted to Rome Ciampino airport by two F-35A of the 102nd Gruppo (Squadron) of the 6th Stormo (Wing) from Ghedi Airbase.
A couple of interesting things about King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to Rome. Today, the Royal Flight was escorted to Ciampino by two F-35As from the 102nd Squadron, 6th Wing, based at Ghedi Air Base. Also currently in Rome, at Pratica di Mare Airbase, are the Red Arrows… https://t.co/ywDzeuc2GB pic.twitter.com/M2YDYthoI8
— The Aviationist (@TheAviationist) April 7, 2025
President Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter Laura, welcomed the King and Queen with a ceremonial red-carpet reception in the cobbled courtyard of the historic palace. Earlier on Monday, the King and Queen met with Lord Llewellyn, the UK’s ambassador to Italy, at his residence, their first engagement of the trip.
The joint flyover comes as the future of the Red Arrows aircraft is debated online after a tabloid article speculated the team might opt for the Italian M-346 to replace its Hawk jets. In fact, unlike the Frecce Tricolori, which have already selected the M-346 as the replacement of their current 40-year old MB-339, what aircraft will be flown by the Reds is not clear.
Italy’s Frecce Tricolori display team to get new M-346 jet trainers – good news for @LDO_Aircraft Makes you wonder what the Red Arrows will do, as Hawk T1s fly on? https://t.co/vGGyYv7QbS pic.twitter.com/YRfap54XhB
— Craig Hoyle (@FlightAcesHigh) September 13, 2024
