Reggio Emilia, Italy —
Feelings of pride are growing in the small, historic city of Reggio Emilia in northern Italy this week as a major royal visits and the world’s media follows her there.
Catherine is not an Italian princess. That pride comes from the way the Princess of Wales is expected to shine a formidable spotlight on Wednesday on one of the city’s crown jewels: an innovative and much-imitated approach to early childhood education.
The Reggio Emilia approach is more of a philosophy than a method. It was first developed after World War II and has become almost as characteristic of the town as the local cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano.
The emphasis is on creativity, relationships, and practical discovery. All of these themes are ones that Catherine has spearheaded in her own work through the Royal Center for Early Childhood Education. It’s the perfect time for Duchess Kate to make her first overseas trip since she was diagnosed with cancer more than two years ago.
A close aide to the Princess of Wales described the visit as “an important step in the Princess’s recovery journey”, adding: “She takes great pleasure in this work.”
This is the royal family’s first official visit to Italy, but the royal family spent time in Florence after school and before attending university, and an aide said they were “reminiscing on fond memories”.
“She has talked about the trip a number of times with her husband, the Prince of Wales, and their children, and is looking forward to hearing about it when she returns to the UK.”
Reggio Emilia Mayor Marco Massari wrote on Instagram that the visit was “a great honor”. “The Princess of Wales will learn about the approach to public early childhood education that we see as the cornerstone of our community.”
“Today, even the princess has chosen to come and discover this approach. This makes us proud and grateful to those who built this heritage and to those who continue to keep it alive and thriving today,” said Federico Ruozzi, director of the city’s kindergarten and early childhood center.
The British princess will be received by the mayor at City Hall before addressing the crowd in the medieval square. Expect two days of footage as Kathryn immerses herself in craft classes, outdoor learning, and meets members from across the community who play a role in making this approach a reality.
“This is a big moment for the princess. There will be many highlights in 2026, but this will be her first overseas trip since her recovery… This is a really important moment for her,” the aide added.
The royal team at Kensington Palace noted that Kate is working on early childhood issues at a different pace than before 2024. She’s gearing up. Regarding her recovery and return to public life, she said her team continues to find the right balance and that this will be the first of several visits.
The spokesperson added: “The Princess is keen to further explore how, by investing in the extraordinary impact of early childhood and prioritizing it with the same urgency as climate change, we can globally identify positive and hopeful solutions to address some of today’s most difficult societal challenges.”
