Britain’s Princess of Wales received a warm reception in northern Italy on Wednesday as she embarked on her first official overseas engagement since completing cancer treatment, marking a
significant milestone in her return to public life.
Kate, wife of heir to the throne Prince William, began a two-day visit to the city of Reggio Emilia, internationally recognised for its pioneering approach to early childhood education — a cause that has become central to her public work.
Crowds gathered in the city’s historic main square, surrounded by medieval and Renaissance architecture, to welcome the princess. Supporters waved Union Jack flags, held banners reading “Ciao Kate,” and lined nearby streets hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal visitor. Kate arrived wearing a tailored blue trouser suit.
“This is undoubtedly a major moment for the princess,” one royal aide said. “While there will be many important moments in 2026, this being her first official international visit since her recovery makes it especially significant.”
The visit focuses on the renowned “Reggio Emilia approach,” an educational philosophy that places relationships, creativity, community involvement and the environment at the centre of a child’s development.
During meetings with teachers, administrators, parents and children, Kate is expected to explore the movement’s historical roots, its emphasis on public education, the prominent role women played in its creation, and the close connection between learning and the local community.
Local enthusiasm for the visit was palpable. Francesca Severini, a municipal official, joked about enduring illness just to witness the occasion. “I’ve got a terrible cold,” she said, “but I’ll wait until the end of the visit to find out whether it’s pneumonia.”
The Reggio Emilia model emerged in the aftermath of World War Two, when local residents — many of them women — helped fund some of Italy’s earliest nursery schools by selling scrap metal left behind by retreating German forces. The city later became internationally known for its progressive education system, years before Italy formally introduced national nursery school legislation in 1968.
Kate is expected to tour two public pre-schools designed around open communal spaces known as “piazzas,” alongside workshops and kitchens intended to encourage exploration through materials, colours and sound.
She will also meet key figures associated with the development of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, including 95-year-old former regional councillor Ione Bartoli, who played a role in advancing the movement during the 1970s.
“The princess’s visit is an honour and recognises what we in Reggio Emilia have achieved together for our children,” Bartoli said.
As part of the visit, Kate will receive the Primo Tricolore, the city’s highest civic honour. The award features a replica of Italy’s green, white and red flag, first adopted in Reggio Emilia in 1797.
Royal aides said the visit reflects the princess’s long-term commitment to early childhood development and symbolises a new chapter following her illness.
“It is only right that her first international trip since her illness focuses on an issue she is committed to championing for decades to come,” the aide said. Photo by Ian Jones, Wikimedia commons.
