Princess of Wales to Visit Italy on First Official Overseas Trip in Over Three Years
The Princess of Wales is scheduled to travel to Italy next week for her first official overseas engagement in more than three years.
She will visit the historic northern city of Reggio Emilia, marking her first overseas royal trip since undergoing cancer treatment. Her last official overseas visit was to Boston in the United States in December 2022, where she accompanied Prince William.
Catherine's solo trip, planned for 13 and 14 May, aims to support her campaign for early childhood education. During the visit, the princess will engage in "fact finding" about Reggio Emilia's distinctive approach to early years learning.
"The princess is very much looking forward to visiting Italy next week," said a Kensington Palace spokesman, referring to her milestone return to international visits.
The Kensington Palace spokesman added that Catherine will observe "first-hand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and loving human relationships come together to support children's development."
Reggio Emilia is known for a child development philosophy that emphasizes personal relationships, play-based learning, and being guided by children's own interests and enthusiasms.
During her visit, the princess will meet with educators, parents, children, local representatives, and business leaders in the city.
This two-day overseas trip represents another step in Catherine's full return to royal duties.
Health and Public Engagements
Following treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, Catherine announced in January 2025 that she was in remission. She has spoken candidly about experiencing both good and bad days during her recovery, describing it as a "life-changing experience."
According to opinion polls, she remains consistently among the most popular members of the royal family, and there is expected to be significant public and media interest in her latest return to official duties.
While there have been short trips to France and Jordan, as well as private holidays, this will be the Princess of Wales's first official overseas visit in nearly three and a half years.
Focus on Early Childhood Education
The visit to Italy will add an international dimension to her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, established in 2021. The centre explores how complex adult issues, including addiction and mental health challenges, can have roots in early childhood experiences.
On Wednesday, the centre will publish a new guide titled Foundations for Life, intended as a resource for professionals working with babies, young children, and their families. The guide emphasizes the importance of social and emotional development.
"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," writes Catherine in the foreword of the guide, which will be launched at the University of East London.
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