The Princess of Wales has thanked the people of Reggio Emilia for “a deeply moving and unforgettable time” after her first overseas royal tour in more than three years. Kate toured the Italian city over two days to learn about an innovative education system supporting childhood development, ending her stay by hosting a farmhouse lunch for some of the people she met.
A Personal Message of Gratitude
In a message written by Kate and posted on her social media accounts, she said: “Over the past two days in Reggio Emilia, I have seen first hand the power of nature and creativity that put human connection at the centre of a child’s world. I have had such a deeply moving and unforgettable time here. Thank you to the people of Reggio Emilia for welcoming me into a culture of care with such warmth and generosity. Our collective work in early childhood must be to protect and nurture the connections that form the foundations of life-long wellbeing.” She ended with words in Italian: “Grazie di cuore” – Thank you with all my heart.
The Reggio Emilia Approach
Kate travelled to Italy to learn first-hand about the Reggio Emilia Approach, named after the city that pioneered the teaching method recognised across the globe. This approach stresses the importance of parents, educators and the environment – “the third teacher” – that surround a young child. The trip was her first major overseas tour since December 2022 when she went to Boston in the US with the Prince of Wales for his Earthshot Prize award ceremony. An aide described it as a “huge moment for the princess” who has experienced a cancer diagnosis and successful treatment since that American visit more than three years ago.
A Warm Welcome
The future queen received a rapturous welcome from Reggio Emilia’s residents on Wednesday when she arrived outside the town hall and was greeted by the mayor, who later presented her with the city’s highest honour in recognition of her work promoting early years development of children.
Bob the Builder Inspiration
During her second day in Italy, Kate revealed she follows the environmental philosophy of an unlikely figure from the green movement – Bob the Builder. She described how her family adhere to the tenets of the popular animated workman who believes in not letting anything go to waste, during a visit to an Italian project re-using industrial surplus for educational needs. At the Remida centre, the princess said with a smile: “There’s a popular character called Bob the Builder and he has a philosophy of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ and you embrace that here. It’s something as a mother, and I feel as a family we do a lot, is try to have at the back of our minds.” The centre is a resource hub where teachers can bring pre-school children to work on special projects designed to boost learning through creativity with unwanted materials like string, textiles and larger plastic tubes donated by companies.
Outdoor Learning and Nature
She began her final day visiting a public infant-toddler centre and nursery school to learn more about Reggio Emilia’s early years education system and joined children at an outside activity. The school places an emphasis on outdoor learning and environmental education, and Kate talked to children and staff as they handled newts from a tank. She paid tribute to broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, saying: “In most urban areas, even in central London, we have newts like this. It’s extraordinary, if you look and spend time, you realise how close it is to you. David Attenborough says you have to be able to experience nature in order to protect it – it’s so true.”
Becoming a 'Rezdora'
Kate ended her visit by taking on the role of a “rezdora” or housewife, making fresh tortelli pasta, a typical dish from the Emilia-Romagna region. She kneaded flour, oil, salt and water in a large bowl with her hands and said: “When I do this at home it’s without a big bowl and it goes everywhere, it’s a good workout.” The princess was visiting Agriturismo Al Vigneto, a farm-stay vineyard an hour’s drive from Reggio Emilia, and she laughed when the handle fell off a pasta machine she used to roll the dough. Chef Ivan Lampredi guided Kate through the process and after she finished the task told her “You are hired.” He said later: “I have shown many people how to do this exactly right and she was very good at it. She is a natural rezdora.”
A Thank You Lunch
Some of the people the princess met over the past two days joined her for lunch at the farm, including representatives from the Loris Malaguzzi centre for early years education, the nurseries, and the city of Reggio Emilia. Aides said Kate had wanted to thank them personally for their support and hospitality, and to acknowledge the role they play in sustaining a culture of care.
