Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, intends to “lead the global conversation” on early years development and this week’s trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy, will help with that
The Princess of Wales is to embark on a global mission to transform the early years development of children around the world.
The future Queen wants to “lead the global conversation” on the subject, and is aiming to bring together world leaders, educators and professionals to
The Princess has also set her sights on further international travel ahead of her first trip abroad for three and a half years. Kate will on Wednesday arrive in Reggio Emilia, in northern Italy, on a fact finding mission for her Centre for Early Childhood run by the Royal Foundation.
On her two day trip, she will visit a range of educational institutions around the region, recognised as being a world leader in early years education. Aides described the princess as “energised and enthused”, and was looking forward to the “milestone” trip, her first since being diagnosed with cancer in February 2024.
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The Princess underwent six months of preventative chemotherapy before announcing she was in remission in 2025, but has staggered her return to full time royal duties.
The region, considered a world leader in the subject, invited Kate to learn more about the Reggio Emilia Approach, an educational philosophy which focuses on the idea that children have the potential for self-development.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “[This visit] is an important step in The Princess’ recovery journey. She takes great joy from this work. 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.”
Ahead of the trip, aides said Kate – who spent part of her gap year before university studying in Florence – was keen to explore further how globally we can identify positive, hopeful solutions to address some of today’s toughest social challenges, by investing in the extraordinary impact of early childhood and prioritising the early years with the same urgency as climate change. Aides said her happy memories of her time in Italy spurred her decision to organise the visit.
She is planning to do this by creating an international network of collaborators and partners, bringing together expertise, evidence and practice from across the world to better understand how these principles can be applied across different systems and cultures.
The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Years Development, which the Princess set up in 2021, is now set to establish the first global alliance to develop a blueprint for the holistic development of ‘The Whole Child’.
A palace spokesperson added: “She’s looking forward to being here, she’s energised, she’s enthused, she’s excited to see Reggio Emilia in action and meet the people here too. This is a global mission.
“She wants to look at other models around the world and really create a global conversation. This is a huge moment for the princess. There will be many highlights of 2026 but this being her first international visit post her recovery. This is a really significant moment for her.”
As part of her visit, the princess will also receive a major honour during her in recognition of her work to prioritise “children’s rights”. Local Mayor, Marco Massari, confirmed he will present Kate with the First Tricolore, with the award representing the municipality’s highest distinction.
Since launching the Centre in 2021, the princess has gone on to be considered a leader in the field of research and development in the subject.
This week the princess will engage with one of the world’s leading approaches to early childhood and to explore how shared principles around relationships, creativity and environment are understood and applied in practice.
Across the programme, Kate, 44, will see this from multiple perspectives, from the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, to local early years settings, and through to the role the wider community plays in supporting children and families.
Christian Guy, Executive Director of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, said the milestone visit was a vital step in Kate’s future work.
He said: “We are now entering an important new phase of the Centre’s journey. Building on her UK and international work in this area for many years, The Princess is here with her Centre for Early Childhood to lead a new global conversation about this, believing we now need to focus on early brain development and nurturing the whole child with the same urgency and sense of mission as other global challenges like climate change – if we truly want to get ahead of these challenges in the future. This is about genuine prevention.
“We will aim to build a global alliance and shape a blueprint for lifelong human wellbeing and connection around the world, by uniting people around the golden opportunity of early childhood.”
The princess last carried out an official overseas visit in December 2022 when she went to Boston, USA, with the Prince of Wales for his Earthshot Prize award ceremony.
She also undertook two brief trips to Marseille, France, for the Rugby World Cup in the autumn of 2023, and went to the Crown Prince of Jordan’s wedding in Amman in June 2023 but these were not considered by her royal household to be official foreign tours.
Rumours continue to swirl in royal circles that the Prince and Princess of Wales could be invited to the United States by President Donald Trump to celebrate the 250th Independence Day commemorations on July 4, following the success of the King and Queen’s State Visit to America last week.
Sources suggest the Princess may also accompany her husband Prince William to Mumbai, India in November when he hosts the sixth instalment of his Earthshot Prize awards.
