Princess of Wales welcomed by crowds in Reggio Emilia on landmark early childhood education visit

Rome — Catherine, Princess of Wales received an enthusiastic welcome in Reggio Emilia on Wednesday as she began a two day visit dedicated to the internationally renowned Reggio Emilia Approach to early childhood education, marking her first official trip abroad since revealing in 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer.

Thousands gathered in Piazza Prampolini to greet the Princess, waving British, Italian and European flags as she arrived in the historic city centre under tight security. Local authorities, members of the British Embassy, foreign press representatives and schoolchildren from the Robinson and Diana nursery schools, among the oldest institutions within the Reggio Children network, were among those waiting to welcome her.

The visit, organised in partnership with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood⁠, reflects the Princess’s long standing commitment to early years development and her growing international engagement on educational issues. It is also her first solo overseas engagement since 2016 and her first official international visit following her announcement earlier this year that her cancer is in remission.

City officials awarded the Princess the Primo Tricolore, Reggio Emilia’s highest civic honour, in recognition of what they described as her commitment to children and early childhood wellbeing. Following the ceremony at the Town Hall, she spent several minutes in the square greeting members of the public, posing for selfies, shaking hands and exchanging a few words in Italian with well wishers.

Observers noted the relaxed atmosphere surrounding the visit, with the Princess wearing a soft blue ensemble that local Italian media described as elegant yet informal, drawing particular admiration from the crowds gathered in the square from early morning.

The focus of the visit, however, remained firmly on education. Later in the afternoon the Princess travelled to the Reggio Children International Centre at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, named after the influential Italian educator who developed the Reggio Emilia Approach in the aftermath of the Second World War.

The educational philosophy, now studied around the world, is centred on the idea that children learn through exploration, creativity and relationships, with teachers acting as guides rather than instructors. One of its best known concepts is the “100 languages of children”, which encourages young people to express themselves through multiple forms including art, movement, storytelling and play.

During her visit, the Princess joined children and educators in practical workshops involving clay modelling, spoke extensively with teachers and pedagogical experts, and took part in discussions about how the approach could inform wider international conversations around child development and emotional wellbeing.

She later shared tea with staff, teachers and pupils at the centre, in what organisers described as a meaningful moment of cultural and educational exchange between Britain and Italy.

For Reggio Children, the visit is being seen as both an honour and an important opportunity to showcase the city’s educational model on the global stage. The organisation has increasingly attracted international attention in recent years from governments, academics and educational institutions seeking alternatives to more traditional teaching systems.

The Princess’s presence also generated significant excitement across the city, with local businesses decorating shopfronts and residents turning out in large numbers despite heightened security arrangements around the main square and municipal buildings.

The trip is expected to continue on Thursday with further meetings involving educators, families and child development specialists connected to the Reggio Emilia system, reinforcing growing international interest in one of Italy’s most influential educational exports.

PS