Kate Begins First Overseas Trip Since Cancer Treatment

The Princess of Wales has embarked on her first overseas trip since completing cancer treatment, visiting Reggio Emilia in northern Italy. According to multiple reports, Kate was welcomed by hundreds of locals in Piazza Prampolini, where she received cheers and waved to the crowds wearing a blue trouser suit. This marks her first official foreign tour since 2022 when she accompanied her husband Prince William to Boston for his Earthshot Prize award ceremony.

The visit centers on the 'Reggio Emilia approach' to early years development, an educational philosophy that emphasizes relationships, environment, and community in a child's growth. As reported by Reuters and TimesLIVE, Kate will meet with administrators, teachers, parents, and children during her two-day stay. She is expected to visit two public pre-schools organized around open communal spaces known as 'piazzas,' which encourage experimentation with materials, colors, and sounds.

The Princess of Wales was awarded the Primo Tricolore, Reggio Emilia’s highest civic prize, consisting of a replica of Italy's national flag. According to Sky News, an aide described the visit as a 'really significant moment' after her recovery from cancer treatment. Kate underwent chemotherapy and announced she was in remission in January 2025.

The trip highlights early years support, central to Kate's public work for over a decade. She founded The Centre for Early Childhood in 2021 to raise awareness of the importance of early years' experiences. As noted by BBC, the visit could be the first in a series of international trips focusing on various approaches to helping children in their early years.