"The Princess of Wales, Catherine, began a two-day visit to Reggio Emilia, Italy, on Wednesday. This is her first official overseas trip since announcing her cancer is in remission."
A Return to Duty
The Princess of Wales, Catherine, began a two-day visit to Reggio Emilia, Italy, on Wednesday. This marks her first official overseas trip since announcing her cancer is in remission. The visit is focused on early childhood education, specifically the Reggio Emilia approach. Her office described it as an international fact-finding mission to explore different methods of supporting young children and their caregivers.
Arrival and Reception
The Princess arrived at Reggio Emilia's Piazza Camillo Prampolini at 1:15 p.m. local time. She was greeted by Mayor Marco Massari and a crowd of well-wishers. She spoke with school children and accepted flowers and gifts. The Princess wore a light blue trouser suit and referred to herself as "Catherine" while speaking to a child.
Focus of the Visit
The trip is part of the Princess's work with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she founded in 2021. The visit highlights the "Reggio Emilia approach," a philosophy developed after World War II. The approach is based on the principle that young children have multiple ways of thinking and expressing themselves, and that teachers should work collaboratively with students.
During the visit, the Princess described the city's history as "extraordinary" and stated she has "always been fascinated by the philosophy." She was awarded the Primo Tricolore, the city's highest civic honor, which is a replica of Italy's first national flag adopted in 1797.
"A Kensington Palace spokesperson stated that the princess is increasing her focus on early childhood issues, aiming to address social challenges by investing in the early years. An aide described the visit as an important step in the Princess's recovery journey."
Activities and Itinerary
The Princess met with local officials for a discussion on the city's education approach. She is scheduled to visit two public pre-schools that feature open communal spaces, kitchens, and workshops. She is also expected to meet women born at the end of World War II who helped shape the Reggio Emilia philosophy, including Ione Bartoli, 95, a former regional councillor.
Background
The Princess last traveled overseas for work in October 2023 to Marseille. Her last international tour was to the United States in late 2022 for the Earthshot Prize. She announced the completion of chemotherapy treatment in September 2024 and stated in January 2025 that she is in remission. Her return to public engagements included a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital.