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Princess of Wales to visit Italy next week
The Princess of Wales will travel to Reggio Emilia on 13 and 14 May for her first official overseas engagement since undergoing cancer treatment, Kensington Palace announced.
Focus on early childhood education
Catherine will explore the city's renowned approach to early years learning, which prioritises personal relationships, play-based education, and children's individual interests. The visit aligns with her long-standing advocacy for early childhood development.
During her two-day trip, she will meet educators, parents, children, local officials, and business leaders to observe how the Reggio Emilia philosophy fosters environments where nature and human connections support young children's growth.
Significance of the trip
The visit marks a key milestone in the Princess's return to public duties following her cancer diagnosis and treatment. In January 2025, she revealed she was in remission but described her recovery as a "life-changing experience" with fluctuating progress.
Her last official overseas trip was in December 2022, when she accompanied Prince William to Boston. While she has made brief visits to France and Jordan since, this will be her first solo official overseas engagement in nearly three and a half years.
New guide on early childhood development
Ahead of her trip, the Princess's Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood will release Foundations for Life, a guide for professionals working with infants, young children, and families. The resource emphasises the role of social and emotional development in shaping lifelong well-being.
"The quality of our connections-with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us-shapes how safe we feel, how we relate, and how we process experiences throughout our lives,"
Princess of Wales, in the guide's foreword
The guide will be launched at the University of East London on Wednesday.
Public and media interest
Opinion polls consistently rank the Princess among the most popular members of the royal family, and her return to official duties is expected to draw significant attention, particularly from media outlets.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said the Princess was "very much looking forward" to the visit, adding that she would witness first-hand how the Reggio Emilia approach integrates nature and nurturing relationships to support children's development.
