King Charles III and Pope Benedict XVI

In 2009, the then Prince Charles met Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022) in Vatican City, alongside his wife Camilla.

Charles gifted the pontiff a set of 12 ceramic plates, painted with water colors of flowers from Highgrove’s gardens. According to The Guardian, while handing him the present, Charles said: "I don't know whether these will be of any help to you,” to which Benedict XVI replied: "Thank you very much.”