Latest news with #UK-Italy
Fibre2Fashion
22-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
UK-EU trade ties conditions pose challenges for luxury brands: Walpole
The current conditions around Britain's trading relationship with the European Union (EU) present several challenges for luxury brands, with delays, increases to costs and paperwork, and tariffs and rules of origin all making trade more difficult, according to Walpole, a UK-based trade association representing the interests of British luxury brands. In response, some luxury brands have been forced to set up fulfilment centres in Europe, diverting investment and jobs away from the United Kingdom. Beyond the policy landscape, there are several broader challenges that have hit the sector, with consumers losing confidence, while inconsistent enforcement at the border has led to luxury brands struggling with exporting even after agreements to smooth trade have been made. The conditions around Britain's trading relationship with the EU present several challenges for luxury brands, with delays, increases to costs and paperwork, and tariffs and rules of origin all making trade more difficult, according to UK trade body Walpole. Particular challenges around value-added tax, returns and shipping of samples have been raised as areas where progress could be made. Particular challenges around value-added tax (VAT), returns and shipping of samples have been raised as areas where progress could be made. Walpole, in its new 'Trading with Europe' report outlining the 'Brexit effect' on the luxury sector, recommended a series of measures that the UK government could take, in partnership with industry to improve trading relations. These include pursuing further bilateral trade agreements, similar to the UK-Italy deal agreed earlier in 2023; arranging an agreement with third-party logistics firms to standardise processes; negotiating an increase to the €150 VAT threshold; supporting UK businesses seeking to export through the tax system; and striking a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU. These measures should also include backing a consumer confidence campaign to win back European customers and stopping the proposed increases to paperwork and introduction of physical checks on foodstuffs entering the United Kingdom from the EU. Walpole research has found when accounting for global market conditions, EU exports are 43 per cent lower than they would have been without Brexit. It called on the UK government to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention to support automotive and textile exports.; introduce a new digital labelling scheme to reduce complexity; and bring together freight and courier companies to deliver consistent approach to trade rules. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The Independent
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Royal news live: Prince Harry appeals High Court dismissal of security case against Home Office
King Charles and Queen Camilla have released three official photographs to mark their 20th wedding anniversary. The images were captured in Rome following the couple's arrival for a four-day state visit. Upon arriving in Rome on Monday, Camilla was overheard telling a member of the welcoming group she was 'delighted' to be in Italy, a visit made at the request of the UK Government and celebrating UK-Italy ties. Originally, King Charles had also planned to visit Pope Francis at the Vatican, but this was postponed after the Pope was advised to rest following his life-threatening bout of pneumonia. The visit comes after Charles has faced his own health concerns. He was forced to postpone his engagements on March 28 following a short stay in hospital after experiencing side effects from his cancer treatment. It coms as Meghan Markle's new podcast Confessions Of A Female Founder, in which the Duchess of Sussex promises 'girl talk' and advice on how to create 'billion-dollar businesses', is set to launch today. The production is the latest in Meghan's flurry of output after her much-criticised Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan and her new brand As Ever. Its release comes as Prince Harry's case concerning his personal security arrangements is to be heard over two days before the Court of Appeal, after the Home Office changed his level of security for UK visits in 2020. Prince Harry appeals the loss of his UK security detail Prince Harry wants his British security detail restored and is taking his case to an appeals court. Harry, whose titles include the Duke of Sussex, lost his government-funded protection in February 2020 after he stepped down from his role as a working member of the royal family and moved to the U.S. His lawyer is scheduled to challenge a lower court ruling Tuesday at the Court of Appeal in London. A High Court judge ruled last year that a government panel's decision to provide 'bespoke' security for Harry on an as-needed basis was not unlawful, irrational or unjustified. Prince Harry appeals the loss of his UK security detail Prince Harry is going to an appeals court to challenge the U.K. government's decision to strip him of his publicly funded security detail Rebecca Whittaker8 April 2025 09:00 In pictures: King and Queen mark 20th wedding anniversary Rebecca Whittaker8 April 2025 08:45 Meghan Markle offers free gifts to As Ever customers after products sold out Meghan Markle has offered a special deal to customers who bought products from her business after everything was already out of stock. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, debuted her highly anticipated brand, As Ever, on April 2, and all the products sold out in less than an hour. However, some customers learned that after they'd purchased items — including raspberry jams, flower sprinkles, and wildflower honey — those products had already sold out. Read the full story here: Meghan Markle offers free gifts to fans who bought products after they'd sold out As Ever products sold out only an hour after the business launched Rebecca Whittaker8 April 2025 08:30 King and Queen release official photographs The King and Queen have released three official photographs to mark their 20th wedding anniversary. The couple were photographed at the Villa Wolkonsky, the official residence of the UK's ambassador to Italy and San Marino, Edward Llewellyn. Read the full story here: New photos released to mark Charles and Camilla's 20th wedding anniversary The photos show the couple together in Rome Rebeca Whittaker8 April 2025 08:18 King and Queen arrive in Rome for visit celebrating UK's close ties to Italy The King and Queen's visit to Italy will leave a 'priceless' legacy strengthening the 'closeness' between the UK and the EU nation, Britain's ambassador to Italy has said. Charles and Camilla arrived on the outskirts of Rome in a plane escorted over the Italian capital by F-35 Italian air force jets that left a deafening sound in their wake and heralded the start of the couple's four-day trip celebrating Britain's ties with Italy. Edward Llewellyn, the UK's ambassador to Italy and San Marino, said before the couple touched down at the Italian air force section of Ciampino International airport: 'This visit will deliver a meaningful and broad legacy, above all their majesties will do something intangible but priceless.' King and Queen arrive in Rome for visit celebrating UK's close ties to Italy Charles and Camilla's plane was escorted over the Italian capital by F-35 Italian air force jets. Holly Evans8 April 2025 07:00 Why Kate will be watching Queen Mary of Denmark closer than most Why Kate will be watching Queen Mary of Denmark closer than most When it comes to people who really understand her, the Princess of Wales doesn't have to look further than Denmark to find a true sister-in-arms, writes Angela Mollard. And this Australian-born 'commoner' and her modern approach to royalty will help Kate navigate her next chapter Holly Evans8 April 2025 06:00 Prince Harry hopes charity watchdog's Sentebale probe will uncover 'blatant lies' Prince Harry says he hopes the Charity Commission will uncover the truth about what went on at a charity he founded, claiming 'blatant lies' had been told amid a boardroom battle that led to his quitting. The commission has announced it is escalating its investigations into 'concerns raised' about Sentebale, a week after it emerged the Duke of Sussex had resigned as patron and a string of trustees had also stepped down. The watchdog said on Thursday it had opened a regulatory compliance case into the charity, which he founded in 2006. Prince Harry hopes charity watchdog's Sentebale probe will uncover 'blatant lies' Charity Commission investigating 'compliance with legal duties and responsibilities' after duke quit as patron following bullying claims Holly Evans8 April 2025 04:00 Meghan Markle admits she has much to learn in the kitchen After putting her cooking and hosting skills on display in the series, Meghan has acknowledged that she's not a professional cook. She said during an interview with The New York Times published on Wednesday that she still has a lot to learn in the kitchen. Meghan Markle makes admission about cooking after recipes draw mixed reactions The Duchess of Sussex made headlines last month for her single-skillet spaghetti in 'With Love, Meghan' Holly Evans8 April 2025 02:00 King Charles dragged into Prince Andrew spy scandal The Duke of York and his former adviser twice went to Windsor 'without being seen' to talk to the King about an investment fund linked to an alleged Chinese spy, according to newly released tribunal documents. Yang Tengbo, who has previously said he had 'done nothing wrong or unlawful', was excluded from the UK on national security grounds in March 2023 after officials claimed he had been in a position to generate relationships between prominent UK figures and senior Chinese officials 'that could be leveraged for political interference purposes'. Mr Yang – also known as Chris Yang – unsuccessfully challenged the decision at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) last year, with judges finding the businessman was a 'close confidant' of Andrew and had 'won a significant degree, one could say an unusual degree, of trust' from the duke. King Charles dragged into Prince Andrew spy scandal Senior adviser to Duke of York claims monarch was aware of investment fund in which Yang Tengbo, an alleged spy, was directly involved after meetings with Andrew – but Buckingham Palace say Tengbo was not mentioned Holly Evans8 April 2025 00:00 How King Charles and Queen Camilla will spend their 20th wedding anniversary The King and Queen will mark their 20th wedding anniversary on Wednesday by spending the evening as guests of honour at a state banquet in Rome. The black-tie dinner, a highlight of the couple's four-day state visit to Italy which begins on Monday, will be attended by prominent figures from Italian society. The day will mark two decades since Charles and Camilla wed at Windsor Guildhall on April 9, 2005. The civil ceremony followed a romance that began when they were in their early 20s. The head of state and his consort wed on April 9, 2005 following a romance that began when they were in their early 20s Holly Evans7 April 2025 22:00
The Independent
07-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Queen ‘delighted' to be in Italy with King for four-day state visit
The Queen is 'delighted' to be in Italy with the King for a four-day state visit that began with a fighter jet escort over Rome. Charles and Camilla's trip was described as 'historic' by the UK's ambassador to Italy, who said it would leave a 'priceless' legacy strengthening the 'closeness' between the UK and the EU nation. The couple flew in a UK Government plane, an Airbus A321, from Brize Norton and as they neared Ciampino Airport two F-35 jets from the Italian air force accompanied the plane and flew overhead as it landed. Edward Llewellyn, the UK's ambassador to Italy and San Marino, said ahead of the arrival: 'This visit will deliver a meaningful and broad legacy, above all their majesties will do something intangible but priceless. 'Their visit will strengthen the closeness between our nations in a way that only they can, creating memories that will last a generation. 'Their love for Italy and all things Italian, the things Italians cherish – culture, food, heritage – resonate very, very deeply. 'So a lot to look forward to in the next few days. The state visit that brings together, quite simply, the best of Italy and the best of Britain, the closest of friends, allies and partners.' The King and Queen received a red carpet welcome and were greeted by a line of UK and Italian dignitaries, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who will accompany the couple throughout their tour, Mr Llewellyn and his counterpart Inigo Lambertini, Italy's ambassador to the UK, while a guard of honour stood nearby. Camilla was overheard telling a member of the welcoming group she was 'delighted' to be in Italy, a visit made at the request of the UK Government and celebrating UK-Italy ties. A separate state visit to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church, in the Vatican, has been cancelled, as Pope Francis is recuperating after leaving hospital following treatment for double pneumonia. With a number of Vatican events removed from the itinerary in Rome, the remaining engagements in the Italian capital have been spread over two days, and extra elements added to some engagements. During the visit Charles will become the first British monarch to address both houses of Italy's parliament – the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic. The King will also hold audiences with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and he and Camilla will attend a black-tie state banquet at the Palazzo Quirinale, hosted by the president on the evening of their 20th wedding anniversary. The UK and Italy's defence co-operation will be marked by a joint flypast over Rome by the Italian air force's aerobatic team, Frecce Tricolori, and the RAF's Red Arrows. The couple will visit Ravenna, near Bologna, where Charles and Camilla will mark the 80th anniversary of the province's liberation from Nazi occupation by allied forces on April 10 1945, during a town hall reception. They will also celebrate literary culture by visiting Dante's tomb and the Queen will make a solo trip to the Byron museum. Charles and Camilla spent their first night in Villa Wolkonsky, the official Rome residence of the British ambassador.
Local Italy
25-02-2025
- Local Italy
LISTED: The new direct flights between Italy and the UK in 2025
Italy has long been one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations for UK travellers. According to the latest available data from Italy's National Tourism Agency (ENIT), over 3.6 million Britons travel to Italy every year, accounting for around 6.6 percent of the total number of visitors to the country. ENIT data reveals that Rome is British holidaymakers' favourite Italian destination, followed by Milan, Venice, Naples and Bologna. Catania, Florence and Turin complete the top eight. On average, there are 70 direct flights between Italy and the UK every week, with over 40 carriers operating connections between the two countries. But the UK-Italy air travel market is set to expand further this year as a number of new direct routes will add to existing links, particularly over the summer months. Here's a breakdown of the new routes by carrier. British Airways UK flag carrier British Airways said it will open up three new direct routes to Italy this year. The airline will launch a new route connecting London Heathrow with Rimini's Federico Fellini airport on May 15th. Located in Italy's northeastern Emilia-Romagna region, Rimini is a popular seaside resort known for its beaches and vibrant nightlife. Flights in both directions will operate three times a week (Monday, Tuesday and Saturday) until September 27th. Return flights are available from £131, according to the airline. British Airways subsidiary BA EuroFlyer will operate three direct weekly services (Monday, Thursday, Saturday) between London Gatwick and Salerno from May 22nd to October 25th. Salerno is a coastal city located southeast of Naples, offering visitors an attractive blend of beach, culinary and cultural activities. It's also an ideal base to explore the nearby Amalfi Coast and the famous archaeological sites of Pompeii and Paestum. Return flights are available from £168, according to the airline. Finally, British Airways' London City-based subsidiary BA CityFlyer will launch a new direct route to Olbia, Sardinia, starting from May 25th. Located on the northeastern coast of Sardinia, Olbia is known for its sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, as well as its local markets. BA Cityflyer will offer one weekly service from May 25th to July 16th, and then twice-weekly frequency (Wednesday and Saturday) from July 16th until September 28th. Return flights are available from £116. EasyJet British budget airline EasyJet will open a new base at Milan Linate in March. This will translate to 16 new direct connections with the northern airport, including three UK-Italy links: Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh. Though the airline hasn't yet provided details on their weekly frequency, the new services are set to be launched on March 30th. One-way fares for Manchester-Linate and Edinburgh-Linate flights will start at £35.99 and £32.99 respectively, according to the airline. Besides new routes to Milan Linate, EasyJet will operate two new weekly direct services (Thursday and Sunday) between Edinburgh and Olbia, Sardinia, starting from May 1st. It will also launch a new route between Bristol and Palermo, Sicily's capital, from June 26th, with twice-weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays. Palermo is Sicily's most popular travel destination thanks to its rich history, cultural and culinary traditions, and stunning architecture blending Norman, Arabic and Baroque influences. One-way flights are available from £34.99, according to the carrier. Ryanair Irish budget airline Ryanair launched a new London Stansted- Reggio Calabria direct route on February 3rd, with twice-weekly flights (Wednesday and Sunday). Located on the 'toe' of the Italian peninsula and overlooking the Strait of Messina, Reggio Calabria has become an increasingly popular holiday destination in recent years thanks to its beaches and cultural heritage dating back to ancient Greek times. What else can we expect in 2025? There are major changes ahead for people visiting Italy this year, including people travelling from the UK. The EU's two new border control systems EES and ETIAS are due to come into effect at some point in 2025 following multiple delays due to incomplete ground and online infrastructure. EES border checks are set to come into force first with a phased-in entry over six months, though its exact rollout date hasn't been announced yet. The ETIAS system should be introduced at the end of this six-month period. You can find a full explanation of the changes here, but this is what they mean in brief. EES - This is a security upgrade, replacing the current system relying on border guards with an electronic swipe-in/swipe-out system that will register more details, including travellers' immigration status. Following its introduction, non-EU travellers first entering the Schengen/EU area will need to register their name, biometric data (fingerprints and facial scans) and the date and place of entry and exit. The requirement will apply to non-EU travellers entering the Schengen/EU area. EU/EEA citizens, including dual nationals, and non-EU nationals holding valid residency permits will be exempt. You can find a full list of exemptions here. ETIAS - This change mainly affects non-EU nationals travelling to an EU country on holiday. It doesn't apply to people travelling on an EU/EEA passport, or anyone who has a visa or residency permit for an EU/EEA country. It is essentially a visa waiver, which must be applied for online in advance. It costs €7 but is free of charge for people aged over 70 and under 18s. Once granted, it is valid for three years. The system is similar to the American ESTA visa required for short stays. UK ETA There's another big change afoot for anyone travelling to the UK – the ETA system. The UK's ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is a £10 visa waiver that visa-free travellers need to apply for online in advance of their trip. Once granted, it lasts for two years. The requirement is already in place for non-EU nationals entering the UK, but will be extended to EU nationals from April 2nd. EU nationals can apply for an ETA starting from March 5th. People travelling on a UK or Irish passport will be exempt from the requirement. UK visa holders and people with residency status in the UK (for instance EU nationals with Settled or Pre-Settled Status) will also be exempt.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What's on menu for King's Italian dinner with Tucci?
King Charles and Queen Camilla are hosting an Italian-themed dinner this evening, inspired by the actor Stanley Tucci, with dishes including crab, ravioli and pork, along with English and Italian wine. The dinner, with the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, among the guests, is a culinary warm-up for the royal couple's state visit to Italy and the Vatican in early April, where they will meet Pope Francis. The trip is expected to coincide with Charles and Camilla's 20th wedding anniversary and the King told dinner guests about his love of Italian food and culture. "Good food brings people together and what we choose to eat helps to define us - as families, communities and nations," said the King. The UK-Italy dinner, hosted by the King and Queen at their Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, is a celebration of "slow food", which uses fresh local food and traditional cooking methods. The King hailed this "most splendid evening which brings together two things very dear to my heart - slow food and Italy". "A nation's food culture is a priceless social and environmental asset, intimately bound up with its sense of identity and place," said the King. An enthusiast for art, culture and religion, he spoke of his enthusiasm for the state visit, which will be his 18th official visit to the country. "To say that we are looking forward to it would be to engage in a little British understatement," he joked to diners, including Stanley Tucci, who inspired the choice of food. The reception and dinner menu, cooked by Calabrian chef Francesco Mazzei, features Italian recipes with British ingredients. It was accompanied by English sparkling wine and Italian red and white wines. Reception: Rare and pasture salumi Tuscan-style paté and coppa Yorkshire pecorino cheese puffs British vegetables caponata tartelletta with Highgrove sparkling wine Dinner: Scottish crab panzanella Westcombe ricotta and Highgrove fine herbs ravioli Isle of Wight tomato passata Suffolk Red porchetta Pumpkin and sage mash, Tuscan kale with white wine Gavi dei Gavi La Scolca Black label 2023 and red wine Barbaresco Gaja 2021 Zuppa Inglese and biscotti with a red dessert wine, Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Zenato King Charles said of the combined culinary efforts of chef Mazzei and Tucci: "I can only hope they are still talking to each other at the end of it all!" Cocktails were made by "mixologist" Alessandro Palazzi, using herbs from the gardens at Highgrove. There was a toast made by the King in Italian, "alla eterna cultura italiana del buon cibo," meaning "to Italy's timeless food culture". This dinner comes ahead of the state visit in early April, confirmed on Thursday by Buckingham Palace. There will be engagements in Rome and Ravenna, with the King and Queen set to hold meetings with Pope Francis and Italian political leaders. King and Queen to host Stanley Tucci ahead of Italy state visit Rome to regulate Trevi Fountain crowds after restoration Why is the Pope doing a long tour when he's so frail? Sign up here to get the latest royal stories and analysis straight to your inbox every week with our Royal Watch newsletter. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
