Princess of Wales makes first overseas trip since cancer diagnosis in Italy

The Princess of Wales is set to undertake her first overseas royal visit since her cancer diagnosis, a milestone that will see Kate travel to Italy for a two-day solo working trip with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. The visit marks her first extended official foreign engagement in nearly three-and-a-half years and comes after she confirmed she is in remission at the start of 2025.

Kate will base her programme in Reggio Emilia, northern Italy, on May 13-14, where she will learn about the Reggio Emilia Approach, an educational philosophy that emphasizes children’s potential for self-development and the importance of nurturing environments and loving relationships in a child’s growth.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said the trip is an important moment for expanding the Centre’s work on a global stage and that the princess is very much looking forward to visiting Italy next week to see firsthand how the approach brings nature and human relationships together to support children’s development.

Though she has made brief visits abroad in recent years — Marseille for the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and Amman for a royal wedding in 2023 — these trips were not classified as official foreign tours. The upcoming visit to Reggio Emilia signals a renewed phase of international work aligned with her early childhood mission ahead of a potential role as queen consort.

Her last official overseas visit occurred in December 2022 when she joined Prince William in Boston for the Earthshot Prize awards. The Italy trip is framed as a continuation of her long-standing focus on early years, with the two-day schedule to highlight responsible environments and supportive relationships for children.

#KateInItaly #ReggioEmilia #EarlyChildhoodEducation