The Princess of Wales is set to resume international travel next week with her first official overseas visit since her cancer diagnosis. Kate will travel to Italy for a two-day solo working trip from May 13 to May 14, focusing on early childhood development through The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
A Major Milestone in Recovery
This marks a significant step for the future queen, as it is her first extended official foreign trip in nearly three-and-a-half years. Aides shared that the princess is "very much looking forward" to returning to international engagements and emphasized the visit's importance in expanding the Centre for Early Childhood's global work.
Kate last conducted an official overseas visit in December 2022, when she and Prince William attended the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Boston, USA. While she made brief trips to Marseille, France, for the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and to Jordan for a royal wedding, these were not classified as official foreign tours.
Focus on the Reggio Emilia Approach
During her stay in Italy, Kate will visit Reggio Emilia in northern Italy to learn about the Reggio Emilia Approach, an educational philosophy emphasizing children's potential for self-development. She will highlight the importance of nurturing environments and loving relationships in child development.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: "The princess is very much looking forward to visiting Italy next week and seeing first-hand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and loving human relationships come together to support children's development."
Centre for Early Childhood's Global Expansion
The visit coincides with the launch of a new resource by the centre: the 109-page "Foundations for Life" social and emotional development guide for practitioners and volunteers. In its foreword, Kate writes about the critical importance of early relationships and experiences, noting that by age five, a child's brain has grown to 90% of its adult size.
New research from the centre reveals that many parents struggle to access clear guidance, with "mixed messages" causing confusion. The report, "The First Five Years: A Parent Perspective," highlights parents' desire for consistent information to support their children's development.
Kate was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024, underwent chemotherapy, and announced remission in January 2025. She has gradually returned to royal duties, including supporting the King at state visits and attending commemorative events. Her return to foreign travel raises hopes for potential joint trips with Prince William, including a possible visit to the US for the FIFA World Cup in July.
