Stephen Hickey Hosts King's Birthday Party at Villa Wolkonsky With Over 2,000 Guests.On June 18, 2026, Stephen Hickey held his first official reception as British Ambassador to Italy, just hours after presenting his credentials to President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale. The King's Birthday Party at Villa Wolkonsky, one of Rome's most elegant diplomatic residences, drew over 2,000 guests including government ministers, diplomats, business leaders, journalists and entertainment figures, filling the historic venue to capacity.The Ambassador's VisionSpeaking in Italian, Hickey described his appointment as a dream realized after postings in Egypt, Syria, Libya and Iraq, where he served as Ambassador to Baghdad from 2019 to 2022. He positioned UK-EU relations as the "maximum priority" of British foreign policy, noting that the past decade had witnessed unprecedented progress in bilateral relations with Italy specifically.The Ambassador emphasized what he called the importance of "intangible but solid bridges" built through personal connection, celebrating shared passions between the nations including history, culture and sport. He praised "the state of grace of Italian tennis" and wished Italian and British players success at the upcoming Wimbledon championships. Concluding his remarks, Hickey pledged his total commitment to deepening relations and areas of knowledge, friendship and collaboration between the two countries. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio attended in representation of the Italian government. The formal portion of the evening concluded with the Be Choir, directed by Maestro Andrea Rossi and including several British Embassy staff members, performing the national anthems. The Inaugural UK-Italy GREAT Award The centrepiece of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural UK-Italy GREAT Award, a new honour designed to recognize personalities who embody the special relationship between the two nations. The award, a stylized olive wood sculpture, was presented to Dame Helen Mirren, the acclaimed British actress renowned for roles including Queen Elizabeth II and numerous other iconic characters in British and international cinema. Mirren has maintained a deep connection to Italy for over two decades, spending substantial time in Puglia where she and her husband, director Taylor Hackford, reside for much of each year. The award was presented by Luca Medici, known professionally as Checco Zalone, a leading figure in Italian cinema who recently completed the record-breaking film "Buen Camino." Hickey noted that Mirren required little introduction given her distinguished honours, observing that only days before receiving the UK-Italy GREAT Award, King Charles III had appointed her a Companion of Honour, one of Britain's highest distinctions. The Citation The award recognized "her longstanding bond with Italy, and in particular the profound interest and affection she has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate for Puglia, whose culture, landscapes and communities she has valued with warmth, passion and commitment. Through her extraordinary artistic and human substance, Dame Helen contributes to strengthening the deep and special relationship of friendship and closeness existing between Italy and the United Kingdom." Mirren responded to the honour by describing how she fell in love with Italy twenty years ago, with her affection for the country growing continuously since. She explained that she and Hackford spend at least half the year in Italy, finding the extraordinary welcome of the Salento community to be a defining aspect of her experience. "I came to Italy for the sun, the sea and the beauty," Mirrer said, "but I remained for the people: extraordinary, kind, generous, witty, intelligent, creative and skilled. It is always a pleasure to be with them. I am honoured to represent the special bonds between the United Kingdom and Italy. My heart is clearly divided between England and Italy." Entertainment and Hospitality The evening featured entertainment reflecting British cultural traditions alongside Italian warmth. A string trio welcomed guests with selections from "The Phantom of the Opera" and proceeded to British pop classics including Queen's "Love of My Life" and the Spice Girls' "Spice Up Your Life." Later, DJ LaÙ provided musical accompaniment while projections on the Neronian aqueduct, curated by British firm Parachute Studios, displayed imagery inspired by the four nations of the United Kingdom: Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England, featuring symbols including the thistle, shamrock, daffodil and rose, alongside images of Paddington, castles, dragons and Loch Ness Monster imagery. The culinary offerings represented both nations. British selections included traditional items such as scones with Wilkin & Sons jam and scotch eggs, along with Scottish salmon, cheeses from all four UK regions including Coombe Castle, McVities digestive biscuits, Walkers shortbread and Joe & Seph's gourmet popcorn. Northern Irish offerings included Megliofresco oysters and Tayto Group crisps. Welsh selections featured HCC Meat Promotion lamb and beef alongside The Village Bakery Welsh cakes. Beverages included Babingtons tea, Pimm's, Hendrick's Gin and tonic, and Scottish whiskies Glenfiddich and Balvenie, alongside Italian wines and prosecco. Italian elements included pizza and a Salento corner featuring mozzarella, ricotta, olives and taralli. Multicultural offerings reflected British diversity through samosas, pakora and chicken tikka. Vegan cheese and charcuterie from Fermaggio and compostable materials from Biorepack, Vegware and Minimo Impatto demonstrated commitment to environmental and inclusive practices. Official Attendance Among notable guests were filmmaker Taylor Hackford, actor Checco Zalone, and Italian entertainment figures including Carolyn Smith, Gianrico Carofiglio, Luca Zingaretti, Luisa Ranieri, Andrea Occhipinti, Margherita Buy, Guendalina Ponti, Margherita Vicario, Laura Morante, Edoardo Natoli, Nicola Sorcinelli, Anna Ferzetti and Filippo Timi. Ambassadors present included Tilman Fertitta (United States), Anne-Marie Descôtes (France), Hikariko Ono (Japan), Ihor Brusylo (Ukraine) and Julianne Cowley (Australia). Italian government representation included Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Minister for Business and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso, and Minister for Education and Merit Giuseppe Valditara. Also present were Minister for Relations with Parliament Luca Ciriani, Vice Minister for Business and Made in Italy Valentino Valentini, and newly elected Venice Mayor Simone Venturini.

On June 18, 2026, as British Ambassador to Italy, just hours after presenting his credentials to President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale. The King's Birthday Party at Villa Wolkonsky, one of Rome's most elegant diplomatic residences, drew over 2,000 guests including government ministers, diplomats, business leaders, journalists and entertainment figures, filling the historic venue to capacity.Speaking in Italian, Hickey described his appointment as a dream realized after postings in Egypt, Syria, Libya and Iraq, where he served as Ambassador to Baghdad from 2019 to 2022. He positioned UK-EU relations as the "maximum priority" of British foreign policy, noting that the past decade had witnessed unprecedented progress in bilateral relations with Italy specifically. The Ambassador emphasized what he called the importance of "intangible but solid bridges" built through personal connection, celebrating shared passions between the nations including history, culture and sport. He praised "the state of grace of Italian tennis" and wished Italian and British players success at the upcoming Wimbledon championships. Concluding his remarks, Hickey pledged his total commitment to deepening relations and areas of knowledge, friendship and collaboration between the two countries. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio attended in representation of the Italian government. The formal portion of the evening concluded with the Be Choir, directed by Maestro Andrea Rossi and including several British Embassy staff members, performing the national anthems. The centrepiece of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural UK-Italy GREAT Award, a new honour designed to recognize personalities who embody the special relationship between the two nations. The award, a stylized olive wood sculpture, was presented to Dame Helen Mirren, the acclaimed British actress renowned for roles including Queen Elizabeth II and numerous other iconic characters in British and international cinema. Mirren has maintained a deep connection to Italy for over two decades, spending substantial time in Puglia where she and her husband, director Taylor Hackford, reside for much of each year. The award was presented by Luca Medici, known professionally as Checco Zalone, a leading figure in Italian cinema who recently completed the record-breaking film "Buen Camino." Hickey noted that Mirren required little introduction given her distinguished honours, observing that only days before receiving the UK-Italy GREAT Award, King Charles III had appointed her a Companion of Honour, one of Britain's highest distinctions. The award recognized "her longstanding bond with Italy, and in particular the profound interest and affection she has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate for Puglia, whose culture, landscapes and communities she has valued with warmth, passion and commitment. Through her extraordinary artistic and human substance, Dame Helen contributes to strengthening the deep and special relationship of friendship and closeness existing between Italy and the United Kingdom." Mirren responded to the honour by describing how she fell in love with Italy twenty years ago, with her affection for the country growing continuously since. She explained that she and Hackford spend at least half the year in Italy, finding the extraordinary welcome of the Salento community to be a defining aspect of her experience. "I came to Italy for the sun, the sea and the beauty," Mirrer said, "but I remained for the people: extraordinary, kind, generous, witty, intelligent, creative and skilled. It is always a pleasure to be with them. I am honoured to represent the special bonds between the United Kingdom and Italy. My heart is clearly divided between England and Italy." The evening featured entertainment reflecting British cultural traditions alongside Italian warmth. A string trio welcomed guests with selections from "The Phantom of the Opera" and proceeded to British pop classics including Queen's "Love of My Life" and the Spice Girls' "Spice Up Your Life." Later, DJ LaÙ provided musical accompaniment while projections on the Neronian aqueduct, curated by British firm Parachute Studios, displayed imagery inspired by the four nations of the United Kingdom: Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England, featuring symbols including the thistle, shamrock, daffodil and rose, alongside images of Paddington, castles, dragons and Loch Ness Monster imagery. The culinary offerings represented both nations. British selections included traditional items such as scones with Wilkin & Sons jam and scotch eggs, along with Scottish salmon, cheeses from all four UK regions including Coombe Castle, McVities digestive biscuits, Walkers shortbread and Joe & Seph's gourmet popcorn. Northern Irish offerings included Megliofresco oysters and Tayto Group crisps. Welsh selections featured HCC Meat Promotion lamb and beef alongside The Village Bakery Welsh cakes. Beverages included Babingtons tea, Pimm's, Hendrick's Gin and tonic, and Scottish whiskies Glenfiddich and Balvenie, alongside Italian wines and prosecco. Italian elements included pizza and a Salento corner featuring mozzarella, ricotta, olives and taralli. Multicultural offerings reflected British diversity through samosas, pakora and chicken tikka. Vegan cheese and charcuterie from Fermaggio and compostable materials from Biorepack, Vegware and Minimo Impatto demonstrated commitment to environmental and inclusive practices. Among notable guests were filmmaker Taylor Hackford, actor Checco Zalone, and Italian entertainment figures including Carolyn Smith, Gianrico Carofiglio, Luca Zingaretti, Luisa Ranieri, Andrea Occhipinti, Margherita Buy, Guendalina Ponti, Margherita Vicario, Laura Morante, Edoardo Natoli, Nicola Sorcinelli, Anna Ferzetti and Filippo Timi. Ambassadors present included Tilman Fertitta (United States), Anne-Marie Descôtes (France), Hikariko Ono (Japan), Ihor Brusylo (Ukraine) and Julianne Cowley (Australia). Italian government representation included Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Minister for Business and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso, and Minister for Education and Merit Giuseppe Valditara. Also present were Minister for Relations with Parliament Luca Ciriani, Vice Minister for Business and Made in Italy Valentino Valentini, and newly elected Venice Mayor Simone Venturini.