Kate Middleton makes 1st solo trip outside UK since cancer diagnosis
Catherine, Princess of Wales arrived in Italy on Wednesday to attend the ceremony first solo international trip He has been out of the UK since his cancer diagnosis.
Thousands lined the plaza and watched from the windows of Piazza Prampolini in the northern city of Reggio Emilia; some carried banners such as “Ciao Kate” to see and greet the princess.
Remo Casilli/Reuters – PHOTO: Britain’s Princess Catherine of Wales interacts with a baby after visiting Reggio Emilia town hall during her two-day visit to the region in Reggio Emilia, Italy, on May 13, 2026.
The princess was seen speaking to the mayor of Reggio Emilia and local Italian schoolchildren before entering the city hall for meetings.
Marco Bertorello/Pool/AFP via Getty Images – PHOTO: Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presented with the city’s highest honor, the ‘Primo Tricolore’, by Reggio Emilia mayor Marco Massari, for her work in her early years, at Reggio Emilia’s town hall in Italy, 13 May 2026.
He also stopped speaking Italian to schoolchildren and well-wishers after leaving city hall.
Phil Noble/Reuters – PHOTO: People gather before the arrival of Britain’s Princess Catherine of Wales on a two-day visit to Reggio Emilia, Italy, on May 13, 2026.
Remo Casilli/Reuters – PHOTO: Britain’s Princess Catherine of Wales interacts with a baby after visiting Reggio Emilia town hall during her two-day visit to the region in Reggio Emilia, Italy, on May 13, 2026.
The Princess will visit Reggio Emilia until Thursday to support the Royal Foundation Early Childhood Centre, which she founded in 2021 and focuses on early childhood development.
Remo Casilli/Reuters – PHOTO: Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, talks to children as she arrives in Piazza Prampolini as part of a two-day visit to the site in Reggio Emilia, Italy, on May 13, 2026.
Marco Bertorello/Pool/AFP via Getty Images – PHOTO: Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, is greeted by children as she arrives at Reggio Emilia town hall during a two-day visit to Italy on May 13, 2026.
The trip focuses on Reggio Emilia because it is known for its “approach to early childhood education,” according to Kensington Palace. Kate is expected to meet with educators, parents, children and community leaders.
Princess Kate embarks on first solo international trip since cancer diagnosis
The last time the princess traveled alone outside the UK was to visit Denmark in 2022.
Kate first received her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, when her father-in-law, King George III, died. He made his cancer diagnosis public a month after Charles went public with it.
The princess did not disclose the type of cancer she was diagnosed with or the subsequent treatment she received, other than to say she was undergoing “preventive chemotherapy” on the advice of her medical team.
Marco Bertorello/AP – PHOTO: England’s Princess Kate of Wales waves as she arrives at the town hall, part of a two-day trip, on May 13, 2026, in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Kate announced in January 2025 that she was improving following treatment and would gradually return to royal duties. Since then he has attended and participated in various events and trips.
