All the details as the Princess of Wales makes her first overseas trip since recovery from cancer

The Princess of Wales is to make her first overseas visit since her treatment for cancer.

Kate is heading to Italy next week as part of her work with the Early Years Foundation.

Her two day stay in Reggio Emilia, in northern Italy, will include a string of engagements linked to her work in early years.

It also marks a major moment for her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood as it expands internationally.

The focus of the trip is development in early childhood and the meetings and visits included are part of an exploration of leading international approaches to supporting young people and those who care for them.

During her stay in Italy, the Princess of Wales will meet parents, children, educators and business and civic leaders as she explores how their approach shapes young lives.

Early years has been a central strand of the work of the Princess of Wales.

Ahead of the trip, Kesington Palace said ”“The Princess is very much looking forward to visiting Italy next week and seeing first-hand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and loving human relationships come together to support children’s development.”

The Reggio Emilia Approach is an internationally renowned educational philosophy which is based on all children having strong potential for development and which puts child rights as central to its approach. It is described as using the ”hundred languages belonging to all human beings” and which allow children to grow in relation to others.

Among its main planks are using the environment as an educator and collegial and relations based work for all.

The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood was established in 2021 and brings together research, collaboration and practical action. It aims to drive long term change in how early years are understood and prioritised by society.

In 2023, it ran the Shaping Us campaign to raise awareness of how important the first five years of life are to development. In 2025, it set out 30 key social and emotional skills that underpin early development in its Shaping Us Framework.

The Princess of Wales will be in Italy on May 13th and 14th.