Princess Kate melts hearts after adorable moment with toddler in Italy | Royal | News
Princess Catherine meets toddler during tour of Italy (Image: Getty)
Princess Catherine captured hearts around the world today after her sweet interaction with a little boy on the first day of her two-day working trip to Italy. The Princess of Wales traveled to Reggio Emilia to begin her first overseas royal tour in more than three and a half years to learn more about the Reggio Emilia approach, a special philosophy of education.
The future Queen was given a rapturous royal welcome as she arrived in the city centre, with thousands of people screaming and cheering. They waved union flags, posters saying ‘Ciao Kate’, flowers and even brought a life-size cardboard cutout of a group of princesses.
Others peered out the windows of the buildings surrounding Piazza Camillo Prampolini, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of the royal visitors.
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Princess Catherine hugs a young girl (Image: Getty)
Leaving the town hall, the Princess walked for 15 minutes along the barriers to greet the excited crowd.
They cheered and chanted “Kate” over and over when she stopped to chat and shake hands. pic.twitter.com/gFXFaLf99t
— Emily Ferguson (@emilyinpalace) May 13, 2026
After exiting her vehicle to loud cheers, Catherine greeted Reggio Emilia mayor Marco Massari in the square and then leaned down to greet a group of local preschoolers.
“I speak a little Italian. What’s your name? I’m Catarina,” she told them in their native language, having learned the language during her gap year in Florence in 2000.
He then greeted the public, including a baby who looked happy to meet the future Queen.
Catherine was seen stopping for a few seconds to talk to the little boy and the adult holding him, and then greeted other well-wishers.
The moment went viral on social media, with royal fans praising the princess.
Princess Catherine meets schoolchildren (Image: Getty)
One user wrote to X: “She’s a mother [heart emoji]”
Another added: “That mom did her research and came prepared. Catherine will always find the babies in the crowd.”
A third commented: “Baby is only 1 month old…so cuuuuteeee.”
A fourth chimed in: “What a lovely moment.”
A fifth commented: “He’s so sweet and such a natural with kids. His whole exchange with the baby is adorable.”
A sixth later said: “I love this!”
The princess then entered the town hall, where she was presented with the city’s highest honour, the ‘Primo Tricolore’, in recognition of her work in her early years.
The mayor held a short ceremony in the main hall of the town hall, where he read the mandate in the early years sector.
After listening to the translation, the Princess placed her hand over her heart and said: “Wow, what an honour. I am so grateful, it is gratefully accepted.”
He then spent half an hour sitting with the local “nonnas” – Carla Nironi, Iona Bartoli and others. The princess then told the mayor, “I am truly grateful for the warm welcome,” before signing the guest book and heading out into the scorching sunlight to greet the public.
