Princess of Wales Receives Reggio Emilia’s Highest Honour on First Post‑Remission Trip
Princess Catherine, Princess of Wales, arrived in Reggio Emilia, northern Italy, on 13 May 2026 for a two‑day visit focused on early‑childhood education. It is her first official overseas trip since announcing in 2024 that her cancer was in remission. Accompanied by staff from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, she met local educators, parents and children and toured the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, the hub of the world‑renowned Reggio Emilia Approach.
The city’s mayor, Marco Massari, presented her with the “Primo Tricolore”, Reggio Emilia’s highest civic honour, in a private ceremony at the town hall. An aide to the princess said the visit was “a really significant moment” and quoted the aide: “Undoubtedly, this is a huge moment for the princess.” The mayor added that the visit “highlights a model known and appreciated worldwide.”
The trip underscores Kate’s continued advocacy for the first five years of life, a cause she champions through the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she founded in 2021. The visit also marks a symbolic return to public duties after her health treatment, linking a personal health milestone with a global educational mission.