The Princess of Wales, 44, received a rapturous welcome as she stepped out in Reggio Emilia for her first overseas work trip since her cancer diagnosis.
Princess Kate arrived shortly after midday local time on May 13 and traveled to the northern Italian city, where she was greeted by Mayor Marco Massari and introduced to local civic and community leaders at Piazza Camillo Prampolini, the town hall of Reggio Emilia and home of the mayor’s office.
She arrived at about 1:15 pm local time to a warm welcome from thousands of people who lined the central square. Some had arrived several hours earlier to catch a glimpse of the princess.
The Princess of Wales, in a crisp blue suit by Edeline Lee, waved to the crowds and knelt down to greet a group of schoolchildren who’d been lined up to meet her. The royal mom of three even chatted with some of the youngsters — in Italian!
Despite studying abroad in Florence, Princess Kate has previously admitted that she’s “so bad” at speaking Italian. “I have to make sure my children are better than me, that’s my aim,” she said upon meeting an Italian well-wisher during a 2018 outing at Leicester University.
Even the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Instagram page has gotten in on the excitement. In the first posts about Kate’s trip to Italy, including a snap of the royal kneeling down to speak with the kids, the caption was provided in both English and Italian.
She also smiled for a selfie with a well-wisher and hugged them.
Following introductions with the mayor and Salvatore Angieri, Prefect of Reggio Emilia, she headed into the town hall for her first engagement.
There, Princess Kate was briefed on the culture, history and groundbreaking educational philosophy that helped make Reggio Emilia internationally known for its innovative approach to raising and nurturing children in the early years.
Princess Kate met some of the key figures behind the program that has shaped the city’s influential philosophy, while also getting a firsthand look at the deep civic pride and community engagement that underpin its approach to supporting children and families. In addition to the civil leaders, she met three women — Carla Nironi, Iona Bartoli and Eletta Bertani — who were all born around the start of World War II and helped shape what has become the modern Reggio Emilia philosophy.
Kate also visited the Sala del Tricolore, which sits within the City Hall and is the birthplace of the Italian flag. There she was presented with the “Primo Tricolore,” the city’s highest honor, in recognition of her work with early childhood development.
After her meeting at City Hall, Kate emerged to cheers from hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside. Locals lined the surrounding streets, eager for a glimpse of the Princess of Wales as she greeted members of the community, with one holding a sign that read, “Ciao Kate.”
The royal spent time greeting as many well-wishers as she could, shaking hands, smiling for selfies and having short chats with those gathered amid chants of, “Kate, Kate!”
“It’s so nice to finally be here,” Princess Kate said to one.
The Princess of Wales also made sure to say hello to a baby in the crowd.
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Teresa Salerno, 42, tells PEOPLE that she shook Princess Kate’s hand: “It was emotional, and I’m trembling.”
“She had an aura of light and goodness and sweetness,” she added. “We are very emotional. It was incredible seeing her. It made a real impression on me.”
She adds, “I told her she was beautiful — that’s all I could say. When someone said, ‘It was a pleasure to meet you,’ she said, ‘The pleasure was all mine.’ “
A teacher from the city was especially happy to meet Kate, as the reason for her visit is the unique Reggio Emilia Approach to education. “I shook her hand and thanked her for coming here and said it was a huge honor for us. She said it was a huge honor for her to see the city.”
“When she started her early childhood project, I always thought that sooner or later she would come here because it’s been a staple in our community since the Second World War,” the teacher said. “I can see why she came to Reggio Emilia because her vision is so similar to ours.”
Francesca Cigarini adds, “It’s a unique occasion for the city. We appreciate the royal family and admire her.”
Patricia Pacchioni, a lawyer, handed her a letter as she works with children’s rights. She had come from around 130 miles away to see her and says, “I thanked her for coming. She’s kind and also spontaneous. She looked like she does on TV. Stunning. And she looked healthy, she’s fantastic.”
Kate, who has made improving support for children and the people who care for them in the first five years of life a cornerstone of her work, is visiting the city to learn more about its internationally renowned approach to early childhood development. The two-day trip serves as both a fact-finding mission and a major step in raising the global profile of her Centre for Early Childhood.
Crucially, the visit marks her first official overseas work trip since her cancer diagnosis in 2024 and the remission announcement she shared in January 2025.
More than a return to international duties, the visit to Italy signals an ambitious new chapter in Princess Kate’s long-running early childhood work — one that those close to her say she hopes will spark a wider global conversation around supporting young children and their caregivers.
“She’s energized, she’s enthused, she’s excited,” a royal aide said ahead of the trip. “She’s looking forward to seeing Reggio Emilia in action and meeting the people here too.”
Those close to Princess Kate say her perspective has sharpened since her recovery from cancer, with aides describing a new focus on her mission to support children.
“This is an important step in the Princess’ recovery journey. She takes great joy from this work,” an aide said. “I think it is only right that her first international trip since her illness is one that is focused on an issue she is committed to championing for decades to come.”
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