'Really significant moment' as Kate makes first official foreign trip since 2022

The Princess of Wales has begun her first overseas trip since her cancer treatment.

Kate was welcomed to Reggio Emilia in northern Italy by the city's mayor, Marco Massari, as she began a rare solo working trip with her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.

One of Kate's aides described the two-day visit to the city as a "really significant moment" after her cancer recovery, with the royal "taking it up a gear" in her "global mission".

The Princess of Wales has not undertaken an official foreign tour since 2022, when she went to Boston in the US for her husband's Earthshot Prize award ceremony.

As well as promoting the foundation, the future queen has travelled to Italy to learn about the "Reggio Emilia approach" to early years development.

The visit attracted hundreds of locals to the city's Piazza Prampolini where Kate received a rapturous welcome outside the town hall.

A few held Union flags, some watched from balconies, and she was greeted with cheers when she stepped out of her car wearing a trouser suit and waving to the crowds.

Before entering the town hall, Kate crouched down to talk to nursery-age children gathered near the entrance and chatted to the mayor for a few minutes.

On the town hall steps, the Princess of Wales again spoke to the mayor and turned to wave to the crowds, who responded with cheers and waved back.

Early years teaching for children has been central to Kate's public work for more than a decade and the visit comes after the royal last week launched a new resource for people working with youngsters and their families, from her foundation.

The city pioneered the teaching method that has become recognised across the globe, stressing the importance of parents, educators and the environment in helping children grow.

Kate has been recognised for her efforts in Reggio Emilia with the Primo Tricolore award, the city's highest honour, presented to her by the mayor.

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The visit comes two years after the Princess of Wales went public with her diagnosis of an unspecified cancer in March 2024. She underwent chemotherapy and announced she was in remission in January 2025.

Her aide said: "Undoubtedly, this is a huge moment for the princess. Although there will be many highlights of 2026, I think being her first official international visit post her recovery [...] is a really significant moment for her."

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