Catherine, Britain's Princess of Wales, is set for her first official overseas trip since undergoing cancer treatment. She will be making a solo visit to Italy next week, Kensington Palace said on Wednesday.
The wife of the heir to the throne, Prince William, will carry out a two-day visit on 13 and 14 May to Reggio Emilia in northern Italy, where she will focus on her campaign for early childhood development, the central theme of her public work.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said the princess is 'very much looking forward' to the visit. '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 spokesperson said.
Her last overseas royal trip was in December 2022 to Boston, US, accompanying Prince William for his Earthshot Prize awards ceremony. The upcoming two-day overseas trip will mark her full return to royal duties.
During her visit, the princess will meet educators, parents, children, local representatives and business leaders. The Italian city is known for its child development philosophy, which focuses on personal relationships, play-based learning and being led by children's own enthusiasms. Catherine has been keen on the campaign, which focuses on improving children's social and emotional wellbeing in their early years. The princess launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021, aiming to bring together experts and research on the issue. She and the Prince of Wales have three children: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight.
Meanwhile, the princess revealed in 2024 that she was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, and last year shared that she was in remission. She has spoken about the good days and bad days during her recovery. 'As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well,' the princess said. 'I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal,' she added.
She has reduced her official workload since her illness. Though her public appearances have gradually increased, she has not joined the Prince on any foreign trips recently.
