Kate Middleton Speaks Italian with Children as She Kicks Off First Overseas Visit Since Cancer Diagnosis
Kate Middleton Speaks Italian with Children as She Kicks Off First Overseas Visit Since Cancer Diagnosis
Simon PerryWed, May 13, 2026 at 12:06 PM UTC
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Kate Middleton is welcomed to to the city of Reggio Emilia at the start of her visit to Italy on May 13, 2026
Credit: Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty
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Kate Middleton stepped out in Italy for the first engagement of her landmark two-day visit
The Princess of Wales arrived on May 13 and headed straight to City Hall in Reggio Emilia to begin her early childhood-focused trip
Princess Kate was welcomed by the city’s mayor and cheering crowds gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the royal
Kate Middleton is kicking off her visit to Italy!
The Princess of Wales, 44, received a rapturous welcome as she stepped out in Reggio Emilia for her first overseas work trip since her cancer diagnosis.
Princess Kate arrived shortly after midday local time on May 13 and traveled to the northern Italian city, where she was greeted by Mayor Marco Massari and introduced to local civic and community leaders at Piazza Camillo Prampolini, the town hall of Reggio Emilia and home of the mayor’s office.
She arrived at about 1:15 pm local time to a warm welcome from thousands of people who lined the central square. Some had arrived several hours earlier to catch a glimpse of the princess.
Kate Middleton is welcomed to the city of Reggio Emilia at the start of her visit to Italy on May 13, 2026.
Credit: Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty
The Princess of Wales, in a crisp blue suit by Edeline Lee, waved to the crowds and knelt down to greet a group of schoolchildren who'd been lined up to meet her. The royal mom of three even chatted with some of the youngsters — in Italian!
She also smiled for a selfie with a well-wisher and hugged them.
Kate Middleton is welcomed to Reggio Emilia, Italy on May 13, 2026.
Credit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Following introductions with the mayor and Salvatore Angieri, Prefect of Reggio Emilia, she headed into the town hall for her first engagement.
There, Princess Kate was briefed on the culture, history and groundbreaking educational philosophy that helped make Reggio Emilia internationally known for its innovative approach to raising and nurturing children in the early years.
Kate Middleton is welcomed to the city of Reggio Emilia at the start of her visit to Italy on May 13, 2026.
Credit: Alamy
Princess Kate met some of the key figures behind the program that has shaped the city’s influential philosophy, while also getting a firsthand look at the deep civic pride and community engagement that underpin its approach to supporting children and families. In addition to the civil leaders, she met three women — Carla Nironi, Iona Bartoli and Eletta Bertani — who were all born around the start of World War II and helped shape what has become the modern Reggio Emilia philosophy.
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Kate also visited the Sala del Tricolore, which sits within the City Hall and is the birthplace of the Italian flag. There she was presented with the "Primo Tricolore," the city’s highest honor, in recognition of her work with early childhood development.
After her meeting at City Hall, Kate emerged to cheers from hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside. Locals lined the surrounding streets, eager for a glimpse of the Princess of Wales as she greeted members of the community.
Kate, who has made improving support for children and the people who care for them in the first five years of life a cornerstone of her work, is visiting the city to learn more about its internationally renowned approach to early childhood development. The two-day trip serves as both a fact-finding mission and a major step in raising the global profile of her Centre for Early Childhood.
People gather ahead of Kate Middleton's arrival to Reggio Emilia, Italy on May 13, 2026.
Credit: Phil Noble - Pool/Getty
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Crucially, the visit marks her first official overseas work trip since her cancer diagnosis in 2024 and the remission announcement she shared in January 2025.
More than a return to international duties, the visit to Italy signals an ambitious new chapter in Princess Kate’s long-running early childhood work — one that those close to her say she hopes will spark a wider global conversation around supporting young children and their caregivers.
“She's energized, she's enthused, she's excited,” a royal aide said ahead of the trip. “She’s looking forward to seeing Reggio Emilia in action and meeting the people here too.”
Those close to Princess Kate say her perspective has sharpened since her recovery from cancer, with aides describing a new focus on her mission to support children.
“This is an important step in the Princess’ recovery journey. She takes great joy from this work,” an aide said. “I think it is only right that her first international trip since her illness is one that is focused on an issue she is committed to championing for decades to come.”
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
