Kate Middleton is bidding a warm "ciao" to more royal duties. The Princess of Wales embarked on her first international trip since announcing her cancer two years ago, venturing out to Italy for a two-day visit on May 13. The solo trip, without Prince William by her side, took Kate to the city of Reggio Emilia, where she continued her work for the Centre for Early Childhood—the royal foundation she founded in 2021 to foster children's development.
For this tour, the royal's itinerary includes meetings with families, local educators, and government leaders in this Northern Italian destination, renowned for its innovative approach to early childhood education. Ahead of Kate's visit, a royal spokesperson shared the intent of her mission, stating on May 5, "The Princess is eagerly anticipating visiting Italy next week and witnessing firsthand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and nurturing human relationships converge to support children's development."
At 44 years old, Kate—who completed her cancer treatment in September 2024—is certainly fulfilling her plans to keep an eventful calendar after updating the public on her transition from remission to recovery in January 2025. "I am, however, looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead," Kate wrote at the time. "There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support."
She also emphasized her positive outlook on her 44th birthday earlier this year. "I find myself reflecting on how deeply grateful I am," Kate shared on Instagram in January. "For the rivers within us flow with ease, fears washed away, cleansed and purified, coming to peace with our tears and discovering what it means to be alive, to be one with nature—a quiet teacher and a soft voice that guides us in memory, helping us to heal."
Though Kate's trip to Italy marked her first overseas trip in over two years, she has attended several high-profile events at home. In fact, she recently celebrated Easter at Windsor Castle on April 5 with her children—George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7—in tow, with William, 43, by her side, as well as King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
