The Princess of Wales is about to start 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, bringing together world leaders, educators, and professionals.
The Princess also has plans for further international travel ahead of her first trip abroad in three and a half years. Kate will arrive in Reggio Emilia, in northern Italy, on a fact-finding mission for her Centre for Early Childhood run by the Royal Foundation this Wednesday.
During her two-day visit, she will explore various educational institutions in the region, known worldwide for its leadership in early years education. Aides described the princess as “energized and enthused,” looking forward to the “milestone” trip, her first since being diagnosed with cancer in February 2024.
The Princess underwent six months of preventative chemotherapy before announcing she was in remission in 2025 but has taken a staggered approach to resuming full-time royal duties.
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The region, recognized as a global leader in early education, invited Kate to learn more about the Reggio Emilia Approach, an educational philosophy focusing on children's 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. It feels right that her first international trip since her illness focuses on an issue she plans to champion for decades and wants to highlight.”
Ahead of the trip, aides mentioned that Kate—who spent part of her gap year before university studying in Florence—is eager to explore how we can identify positive, hopeful solutions to today’s toughest social challenges globally by investing in the extraordinary impact of early childhood and prioritizing the early years with the same urgency as climate change. Aides shared that her fond memories of Italy inspired her decision to organize the visit.
She plans to create an international network of collaborators and partners, gathering expertise, evidence, and practice worldwide 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 established in 2021, is set to form 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 energized, 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 examine other models worldwide and truly spark 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-recovery is a very significant moment for her."
During her visit, the princess will also receive a significant honor for her work prioritizing "children’s rights." Local Mayor, Marco Massari, confirmed he will present Kate with the First Tricolore, representing the municipality’s highest distinction.
Since launching the Centre in 2021, the princess has become recognized as a leader in research and development in this field.
This week, the princess will engage with one of the world’s leading approaches to early childhood and explore how shared principles around relationships, creativity, and environment are understood and applied in practice.
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Throughout the program, Kate, 44, will gain insights from multiple perspectives—from the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre to local early years settings, and the role of the broader community in supporting children and families.
Christian Guy, Executive Director of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, said the milestone visit is a vital step in Kate’s future work.
He stated: “We are now entering an important new phase in the Centre’s journey. Building on her UK and international work over the years, The Princess is here with her Centre for Early Childhood to lead a new global conversation, believing we 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. This is about genuine prevention.
“We aim to build a global alliance and shape a blueprint for lifelong human wellbeing and connection worldwide by uniting people around the golden opportunity of early childhood.”
The princess's last official overseas visit was in December 2022, when she traveled 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 autumn 2023 and attended the Crown Prince of Jordan’s wedding in Amman in June 2023, though these were not considered official foreign tours by her royal household.
Rumors continue to circulate in royal circles that the Prince and Princess of Wales may be invited to the United States by President Donald Trump to celebrate the 250th Independence Day commemorations on July 4, following the successful State Visit to America by the King and Queen last week.
Sources suggest that the Princess might also accompany her husband Prince William to Mumbai, India, in November when he hosts the sixth installment of his Earthshot Prize awards.
Money & Markets Editor
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