The Princess of Wales will begin her visit to Italy by receiving the city of Reggio Emilia’s highest honour for her work promoting the early years development of children.
Kate will be recognised for her efforts with the Primo Tricolore when she visits the city’s town hall at the start of her first major overseas royal visit since having treatment for cancer.
The two-day visit to Reggio Emilia, near Bologna, is the beginning of a “really significant moment” after her recovery, an aide to the princess said, with Kate “taking it up a gear” in her “global mission”.
The future Queen will take her early years crusade around the world to start a conversation about the issue, the aide said.
For more than a decade early years has been central to the future Queen’s public work and the visit comes after Kate last week launched a new resource for people working with youngsters and their families, from her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
Christian Guy, executive director of the foundation, who has travelled to Italy, said early years has the same urgency as other global issues such as climate change.
During the trip the princess will learn about the Reggio Emilia Approach, named after the city that pioneered the teaching method recognised across the globe, which stresses the importance of parents, educators and the environment – “the third teacher” – that surround a child.
Kate revealed at the start of last year that she was in remission after receiving chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer.
She has not travelled abroad for a major visit since December 2022 when she went to Boston in the US with the Prince of Wales for his Earthshot Prize award ceremony.
The aide said: “Undoubtedly, this is a huge moment for the princess. Although there will be many highlights of 2026, I think this being her first official international visit, post her recovery, I think this is a really significant moment for her.”
During a reception at Reggio Emilia’s town hall Kate will meet civic leaders and will be joined by some of the key figures, now in their later years, who played a key role in shaping the Emilio Reggio education philosophy.
Before leaving the princess will meet members of the public in the square outside the civic building.
