Ralph Fiennes spotted in Rome with former lover Francesca Annis

It is just a few short weeks since Ralph Fiennes was strolling arm-in-arm through Rome with Amelia Richards, estranged wife of photographer James Lindsay.

Now the Harry Potter star has been pictured taking in the Eternal City’s sights again, this time with former lover Francesca Annis, the woman involved in the end of his first marriage.

Ralph, 60, who plays evil Lord Voldemort in the Potter films, and Francesca, 77, stopped to take photographs at the tomb of poet John Keats.

The couple, who dated from 1996 to 2006, linked arms as they walked from their hotel to the Garden of Oranges, with breathtaking views over the city, including St Peter’s Basilica.

A witness said: ‘They looked very relaxed, came out of the hotel together and took a long walk before going for lunch. They were laughing and joking.’

Ralph, who is in Rome filming Vatican thriller Conclave, based on a Robert Harris book, was photographed last month arm-in-arm with Amelia, 52.

Her husband James, whose mother Lady Amabel Lindsay is one of Queen Consort Camilla’s oldest friends, confided to friends he was ‘devastated’ to see Amelia with Ralph.

It is claimed that she had asked James for a separation days earlier but insisted that no one else was involved.

Ralph’s affair with Francesca ended his marriage to Doctor Who star Alex Kingston, whom he married in 1993.

They split in 1996 after he embarked on a relationship with Francesca when they appeared in a production of Hamlet, in which she was playing his mother.

But that romance was doomed when Ralph, who has played M, the head of MI6, in three Bond films, began a relationship with Romanian singer Cornelia Crisan, who is half Francesca’s age.

A source said: ‘Ralph and Francesca broke up but they have remained dear friends. They are devoted to each other.’