Princess of Wales poses for selfies and chats with young fans in Italy as she embarks on first solo royal visit since cancer diagnosis
The Princess of Wales was welcomed by huge crowds this afternoon as she arrived in Italy for her first solo royal visit in more than three years.
Hundreds of royal fans lined up in Piazza Camillo Prampolini in the city of Reggio Emilia to greet Catherine.
Wearing a striking blue Edeline Lee trouser suit, the princess was enthusiastically welcomed by the crowds.
He stopped to greet preschoolers in the cobbled square as Italians shouted and cheered.
Some hung from windows surrounding the town square.
Catherine hugged a young man and posed for a selfie. He squatted on the ground and spoke in Italian to some of the children under the age of six.
The future queen is said to be ‘energetic, enthusiastic’ and ‘starting to shift gears’ as she returns to royal duties after months of grueling cancer treatment.
Italians waving Union flags and holding photos of the princess filled the town square hours before the plane touched down at a nearby airport at 12.35pm local time (11.35am UK).
The Princess of Wales stopped to meet a toddler on her way to her first solo royal visit in more than three years
Princess wowed in striking blue suit with wide trousers
Catherine is pictured meeting children in the northern Italian city on her first solo trip in more than three years
Princess Catherine waves to royal fans as she receives a rapturous welcome in Reggio Emilia
And that’s just the beginning of what’s expected to be a worldwide mission as part of his work with young children.
Catherine is based in Reggio Emilia, a city in Northern Italy famous for its pioneering approach to pre-school education, to support the fight to improve the lives of young people.
She visits kindergartens for two days, where she follows the Reggio Emilia Approach, a Montessori-like child-led teaching method for children under six.
Those around Catherine say this is a ‘big moment’, and not just for her work centered around the Royal Foundation Early Childhood Centre, which she launched in 2021.
The life-changing diagnosis and surgery that the future queen underwent in 2024 is said to have given her a ‘new perspective’ on every aspect of her life.
The word that keeps being used is ‘global’ and this is just the beginning of its comeback.
Catherine looks set to embark on a globe-trotting mission to spread her passion for improving the lives of young people.
Today’s trip marks an important step forward in his return to full-time duties following health issues.
A source said: ‘He’s looking forward to being here, full of energy, excited, excited to see Reggio Emilia in action and meet the people here. ‘This is a global mission’.
It is understood that his cancer diagnosis and surgery at the beginning of 2024 gave him a ‘new perspective’ on every aspect of his life.
A palace official said: ‘This visit is an important step in the Princess’ recovery journey. He enjoys this job very much.
‘I think it’s right that his first international trip since his illness focused on an issue that had to be championed for decades and was a real issue he wanted to draw attention to.’
Princess Catherine with a bouquet of flowers
Kate hugs royal fan who gave her a shoutout as she arrives in Italy
Kate waves to royal fans as she touches down in Italy to continue her early years studies
Hundreds of royal fans lined up at Piazza Camillo Prampolini in Reggio Emilia to greet Catherine on Wednesday
Kate took a selfie with royal fans who welcomed her to Italy with flowers
People await the arrival of the Princess of Wales in Reggio Emilia today
Improving the lives of young people has been described as Catherine’s ‘life’s work’.
Although the future queen has begun a slow and measured return to public view nine months after her treatment (she was officially in recovery in January 2025), this is her first overseas business trip.
The visit will highlight the origins of the world-famous ‘Reggio Emilia approach’ to ‘child-led’ early childhood education, similar to Montessori.
Following World War II, residents, mostly women, financed some of Italy’s opening kindergartens by selling scrap metal salvaged from equipment left behind by retreating German forces.
These pioneering efforts formed the basis for an educational philosophy that is now influential around the world and is closely aligned with Catherine’s focus on children’s social and emotional well-being.
Christian Guy, chief executive of the Royal Foundation Early Childhood Centre, who was on the trip, said the princess believed many of today’s ‘deepest social problems’ could be traced to events in the early years when children’s brains were forming.
He said: ‘Early childhood is not only a stage of human development but also a social strategy. When we raise happy, healthy children, we build a happier, healthier society for everyone.’
He said Catherine was determined to spread the understanding of the critical importance of the early years around the world and wanted to see the Reggio Emilia approach for herself.
British diplomat Kassim Ramji, Consul General in Milan, said that the visit was an important moment in British-Italy relations.
Catherine will also meet locals and learn how to make pasta at a traditional rural lunch outside Reggio Emilia, the culinary capital of Italy and famous for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
As a young woman, the Princess spent a formative gap year in Italy, concentrating on languages and art history at the British Florence Institute.
An aide also said: ‘He was recalling the happy memories he had during his gap year in Florence.
‘She has had many conversations about this trip with her husband, the Prince of Wales, and their children, and they look forward to hearing about it when she returns to the UK.’
