Beckham's surprise appearance at King's dinner promoting Anglo-Italian relations

David and Victoria Beckham were the surprise guests last night at a dazzling dinner hosted by the King to promote Anglo-Italian relations.

The former England footballer, 49, who had two spells at AC Milan, and his wife, 50, joined a slew of celebrities at Highgrove, His Majesty's private home in Gloucestershire.

Other esteemed attendees included actress Dame Helen Mirren, 79, designer Donatella Versace, 69, and actor Stanley Tucci, 64.

Beckham was last year announced as an ambassador of the King's Foundation, the charity which runs Highgrove, and has had private meetings there with Charles, 76, bonding over a shared love of the countryside and, surprisingly, bee-keeping.

Last night's event was designed to mark the King and Queen's forthcoming state visits to the Holy See and Italy in early April.

It also celebrated the best of sustainable "slow food and slow fashion", boating a glorious home-grown menu showcasing the best of British produce, with a touch of Italian flair.

A reception was held from 7pm in a marquee in the gardens with canapes including Rare & Pasture salumi, Tuscan-style pate and coppa, Yorkshire pecorino cheese puffs and British vegetable caponata, washed down with the King's own Highgrove sparkling wine.

The dinner itself took place in the estate's purpose-built entertaining centre, the Orchard Room.

The menu for the evening was created by world-renowned chef, Francesco Mazzei, 51, and was inspired by Tucci. Drinks for the evening were created by renowned mixologist Alessandro Palazzi, 67, using Italian flavours and herbs foraged from Highgrove Gardens.

Guests enjoyed a starter of Scottish crab panzanella, washed down with Gavi dei Gavi La Scolca Black label 2023.

The 'primi' course was Westcombe ricotta and Highgrove fine herbs ravioli with Isle of Wight tomato passata with a glass of Gavi dei Gavi La Scolca Black Label 2023.

Diners were then treated to a 'secondi' course: Suffolk red porchetta, pumpkin and sage mash and Tuscan kale with a Barbaresco Gaja 2021.

For dessert there was zuppa Inglese and biscotti with Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Zenato. Charles dined with the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, and Tucci. R Mazzei said he had travelled the length and breadth of the UK sourcing ingredients.

He added: "This is my first time cooking for the King. I'm quite excited about that."

The slow food movement was founded in Italy in 1986 as a fight back against the rise of fast food. It promotes the use of local, seasonal cuisine through the consumption of regional plants, seeds and livestock.

Now established in more than 160 countries globally, off-shoots include the slow fashion movement which encourages consumers to purchase fewer, higher-quality items that last longer.

Their Majesties joined guests at the reception where students and graduates from The King's Foundation training programmes provided demonstrations of their work in sustainable fashion.

Charles, who has long had a passion for heritage crafts, set up his foundation in 1990. It offers courses for more than 15,000 students a year and boasts partnerships with Chanel, Net-a-Porter and the Snowdon School of Furniture.