The Princess of Wales is taking her support for children in their earliest years to the global stage
Credit: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Kate Middleton is on a two-day trip to Italy, learning more about early childhood development
- At the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, she met with educators and practitioners to learn more about the Reggio Emilia Approach
- The visit marks the Princess of Wales’ first overseas work trip since her cancer diagnosis in 2024
Kate Middleton is learning from the experts as she takes her mission to help children to the global stage.
After touching down in Italy for her first work trip abroad since 2023, the Princess of Wales met with educators and practitioners on May 13 to learn more about the Reggio Emilia Approach, an educational philosophy focused on the early years of a child's development. Kate, 44, visited the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, named after the founder of the approach, which is a main hub for the promotion and teaching of the Reggio Emilia Approach.
Princess Kate said, "I’ve been meaning to come for quite some time, so to be here now is very exciting," according to royal reporter Roya Nikkhah.
Princess Kate has made early childhood well-being a center of her royal work, launching The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021 to drive change in how society prioritizes the first years of a person's life. The organization's Shaping Us campaign, launched in 2023, focuses on the vital impact of the first five years of life on adult development.
Credit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Her two-day visit to Reggio Emilia is seen as a fact-finding mission, and she will spend time digging into their internationally recognized approach to early childhood education. Seeing it as a "significant next step" for her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, Kate is spending time with educators, parents, children and civic and business leaders to see the work in action, according to her office at Kensington Palace.
“The Princess is very much looking forward to visiting Italy next week and seeing first-hand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and loving human relationships come together to support children’s development," her spokesperson said in a statement ahead of the trip.
Credit: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty
The Princess of Wales' solo trip to Italy marks her first work trip overseas since announcing her cancer diagnosis in 2024. She spent much of that year out of the public eye amid her treatment and recovery, and she returned to a fuller schedule of duties after announcing she was in remission in early 2025.
"[This visit] is an important step in the Princess’ recovery journey. She takes great joy from this work,” a royal aide said ahead of the trip. “I think it is only right that her first international trip since her illness is one that is focused on an issue that is committed to championing for decades to come and is a real issue that she wants to shine a spotlight on.”
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Credit: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty
Those close to the royal mom of three have noted that there is a different pace and gear compared to pre-2024 when it comes to the early childhood sphere.
"She's looking forward to being here, she's energized, she's enthused, she's excited to see Reggio Emilia in action and meet the people here too," the source said.
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