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Italy trip announced
Kensington Palace announced that Catherine, Princess of Wales, will visit Reggio Emilia, Italy, on May 13 and 14 for an event connected to her early childhood education campaign, where she is the patron in the United Kingdom. The trip is described as an informal, ceremonial visit that she will make alone, without her husband William, heir to the throne of her father, Charles III. L'Unione Sarda.it says the announcement was released by Kensington Palace at midnight today and frames the Reggio Emilia trip as her first abroad public engagement since the “terrible battle with cancer” she faced in 2024. Metro.co.uk adds that the Princess of Wales will head to Italy next week on a solo working trip with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
“will visit Reggio Emilia, Italy, on May 13th and 14th”
Reggio Emilia approach
Multiple outlets tie the visit to the “Reggio Emilia approach,” which focuses on early years child development and the idea that children have the potential for self-development. Metro.co.uk says the Kensington Palace spokesperson described the visit as a chance to see “first-hand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and loving human relationships come together to support children’s development.” The Ukrainian outlet UНН (Українські Національні Новини) similarly reports that the Princess will “see firsthand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates an environment where nature and loving human relationships combine to support children's development,” and says she will meet with educators, parents, children, local representatives, and business leaders. The Nightly also reports that her spokesperson said she was “very much looking forward” to returning to international work, and places the trip in northern Italy for two days working with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
Campaign and next steps
The announcement is also linked to the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which Metro.co.uk says was founded by Kate in 2021 to raise awareness and commission research. Metro.co.uk reports that in the coming months the centre will work with early years leaders to embed the understanding into entry-level training and ongoing professional development, while it also notes that William is expected to travel to the US for the FIFA World Cup in July. People adds that on May 6 the Princess of Wales will step out at the University of East London to launch a new guide, Foundations for Life: A Guide to Social and Emotional Development, published by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. In People’s account, Kate’s office says the guide highlights “the vital role of loving, responsive relationships in shaping children’s lifelong health and well-being,” and it quotes her writing that “in a world which feels increasingly distracted, fragmented and digital … it is more important than ever to invest in what truly helps us to thrive: human connection.”
“the vital role of loving, responsive relationships in shaping children’s lifelong health and well-being”
