Italy played host to one of the world's most glamorous royals this week when Queen Rania of Jordan paid a visit to Pope Benedict XVI. The 33-year-old was accompanying her husband, King Abdullah, as he continued his efforts to build stronger relations between the Islamic faith and other religions.
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The royal couple received a colourful welcome from a group of guards dressed in traditional blue and orange costumes when they arrived at Castel Gandolfo, the pontiff's summer residence south of Rome. Rania opted for a rather more understated style statement, with a fitted frock-coat and a scarf covering her long dark hair.
Both she and Abdullah are anxious to foster a culture of peace and understanding between the Christian and Muslim worlds, so they were among the first to answer Pope Benedict's call when he appealed to Islamic leaders to help him combat what he called "the cruel wave of fanaticism".
Their visit came just a week after Rania was honoured in the northern city of Milan for her efforts to boost women's rights in the Middle East. Mayor Gabriele Albertini made her an honorary citizen in recognition of her work to bring about social and cultural reforms both in her own country and across the Muslim world.
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