Catherine, Princess of Wales , has been given a rapturous welcome in Italy on her first official overseas trip since being treated for cancer.
The British royal is on a two-day solo working trip with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she launched in 2021 to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood on later life outcomes.
In the small, northern Italian city of Reggio Emilia, the princess looked radiant as she smiled and waved at wellwishers gathered outside the town hall, where she was awarded the city’s highest honor - the Primo Tricolore.
Chants of “Kate, Kate” rang out as she chatted with members of the public on a brief walkabout, admitting to one: “I need to practise my Italian.” Some offered her flowers and gifts.
There was a palpable sense of pride in the city that Catherine had chosen to spotlight its pioneering approach to preschool education - one that has since been replicated in countries across the world.
The “Reggio Emilia Approach” prioritizes creativity, relationships, and hands-on discovery – all themes Catherine has spearheaded with her own work. First developed after World War II, the approach to early learning has become nearly as defining for the city as the local cheese Parmigiano Reggiano .
“It’s a great honor and the way she has approached the city and the experience shows a real interest, not just a facade but something deep which is incredible,” one wellwisher told CNN.
Catherine, one of the most popular members of Britain’s royal family, revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing major abdominal surgery more than two years ago. In January 2025, she announced that she was in remission.
An aide to the Princess of Wales described the visit as “an important step in the Princess’ recovery journey,” adding “she takes great joy from this work.”
This is the royal’s first official visit to Italy, though she spent time in Florence after school and before she went to university and has been “remembering the happy memories,” said the aide.
“She’s had many conversations with her husband the Prince of Wales , and her children about this trip, and they’re looking forward to hearing about it on her return to the United Kingdom.”
The visit is “a significant honor,” Reggio Emilia mayor Marco Massari wrote on Instagram. “The Princess of Wales will learn about an approach to public early childhood education that we regard as a cornerstone of our community.”
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“This is a huge moment for the princess. There will be many highlights of 2026 but this being her first international visit post her recovery… this is a really significant moment for her,” the aide added.
The princess’s team at Kensington Palace remarked Catherine is taking different pace on early childhood issues compared to pre-2024. She’s taking it up a gear, with this expected to be the first of several trips.
A spokesperson added, “The Princess is keen to explore further how globally we can identify positive, hopeful solutions to address some of today’s toughest social challenges, by investing in the extraordinary impact of early childhood and prioritising the early years with the same urgency as climate change.”
