Reggio Emilia, Italy
Catherine, Princess of Wales, has been given a rapturous welcome in Italy on her first official overseas trip since being handled 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 boost consciousness of the significance of early childhood on later life outcomes.
In the small, northern Italian metropolis of Reggio Emilia, the princess appeared radiant as she smiled and waved at wellwishers gathered exterior the city corridor, the place she was awarded town’s highest honor – the Primo Tricolore.
Chants of “Kate, Kate” rang out as she chatted with members of the general public on a short walkabout, admitting to at least one: “I need to practise my Italian.” Some supplied her flowers and presents.
There was a palpable sense of pleasure in town that Catherine had chosen to highlight its pioneering method to preschool schooling – one which has since been replicated in nations internationally.
The “Reggio Emilia Approach” prioritizes creativity, relationships, and hands-on discovery – all themes Catherine has spearheaded along with her personal work. First developed after World War II, the method to early studying has turn out to be practically as defining for town because the native 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 instructed NCS.
Catherine, one of the common members of Britain’s royal household, revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer after present process main stomach surgical procedure greater than two years in the past. In January 2025, she introduced that she was in remission.
An aide to the Princess of Wales described the go to as “an important step in the Princess’ recovery journey,” including “she takes great joy from this work.”
This is the royal’s first official go to to Italy, although she hung out in Florence after faculty and earlier than she went to school and has been “remembering the happy memories,” mentioned 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 go to 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.”
“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 group at Kensington Palace remarked Catherine is taking completely different tempo on early childhood points in comparison with pre-2024. She’s taking it up a gear, with this anticipated to be the first of a number of journeys.
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.”