The Princess of Wales has arrived in Italy for her first solo engagement abroad in years, following her cancer diagnosis, and has already won over locals by speaking Italian. Upon her arrival in Reggio Emilia, Kate spoke to young children in their native language, with one teacher describing her speech as 'perfect'.
The two-day visit focuses on the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood development, a topic close to the Princess's heart. Kate, 44, has long championed early years education, and this trip marks a significant step in her public duties. She was seen in a blue Edeline Lee suit, greeting Mayor Marco Massari and meeting pioneers of the educational philosophy, including Carla Nironi, Iona Bartoli, and Eletta Bertani.
During her walkabout, Kate bent down to speak with around 20 children from Robinson Pre-School. Five-year-old Alice said: 'She asked my name in Italian. She spoke Italian very well.' Teacher Roberta Marzi added: 'Her Italian was perfect, she spoke clearly.' The Princess also hugged a member of the public after taking a selfie, deviating from usual royal protocol.
Kate accepted flowers from well-wishers and cooed over a three-month-old baby in the crowd. Royal fans gathered with signs reading 'Ciao Kate' as she entered the Town Hall. The visit underscores her dedication to early childhood studies, described by aides as a 'gear change' for the royal.
