Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth

Britain's Queen Elizabeth met Pope Francis for the first time on Thursday (03.04.14).

The monarch - who was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh - embarked on her first visit to Rome in 14 years where she was more than 20 minutes late to meet the leader of the Catholic Church following a meal with President Giorgio Napolitano at his official residence, the Quirinale palace.

She has been reported saying: "Sorry to keep you waiting. We were having a very pleasant lunch with the president."

The queen gifted the pope with a range of treats including Balmoral whisky, a rib of Windsor beef, and honey produced in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.

She said: "I've also brought something from all our estates which is for you personally and two extra bits which wouldn't fit into the basket."

The pope gave her a blue orb which had a silver cross on top for her eight-month-old grandchild Prince George - son of Duchess Catherine and Prince William.

He said: "It's for the little boy."

Elizabeth replied: "That's very nice, he will be thrilled."

Before adding: "When he's a little older."

Italy will have another royal visit soon as Prince Harry is due to attend the 70th anniversary commemoration of the bloody Battle of Monte Cassino next month.