Princess of Wales to make first foreign visit next week since cancer diagnosis

Catherine will travel to Italy next week in support of her ongoing work into the first five years of a child's life – a crucial period of development that has potential to change the fortunes of future generations.

Her solo two-day visit to Reggio Emilia, in northern Italy, on May 13 and 14, is a major step in the global expansion of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood which she launched five years ago.

The Princess of Wales will make her first foreign visit since her cancer diagnosis next week, in support of her early years work.

The princess' time in Italy will focus on early childhood development and forms part of a high-level fact-finding mission to explore leading international approaches to supporting young children and those who care for them.

Kate previously visited Denmark to learn how the Scandinavian country has pioneered efforts to give infants a better start in life.

The 44-year-old has used much of her work within the royal family to focus on the period from birth to five years old, which experts now agree is critical to building happy, healthy adults.

There are a number of simple things parents and carers can do to boost childhood development within the first 1001 days of a child's life.

The princess's pioneering work focuses on the crucial first five years of a child's life.

These include talking babies and maintaining eye contact and letting them play.

Getting outside into the fresh air is crucial while there is also an emphasis on teaching young children to understand their feelings, with a focus on social and emotional development.

In 2023, Kate launched the Shaping Us campaign aimed at increasing public understanding of the importance the first five years of a child's life.

It has been described as her "life's work".

Catherine's research has shown the early years can have life-long implications.

Released through The Royal Foundation's Centre for Early Childhood, the report identified 30 social and emotional skills beginning in early childhood, which experts – and the princess – believe must be prioritised throughout every stage of life.

Among the parenting tips offered by Kate within the report was to support toddlers who insist on doing things a particular way and speaking to newborns in a singsong baby talk.

The Royal Foundation for Early Childhood was launched by the princess in 2021 following a decade of work.

Kate's research showed that social challenges such as addiction, violence, family breakdown, homelessness and mental health are often rooted in the early years.

The princess's visit to Reggio Emilia aims to examine how a shared understanding of social and emotional development can connect with approaches in other countries working to prioritise the early years.

Kate has spent a decade of work focusing on the early years and childhood development.

Reggio Emilia's internationally recognised approach to early childhood education places relationships, environment and community at the centre of a child's development.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson 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 princess will visit Italy next week as part of her ongoing early years work.

The Princess of Wales has not carried out any foreign visits since she was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer in early 2024 following abdominal surgery.

She was forced to take a break from public life soon after to have preventative chemotherapy but began carrying out a near-full diary of engagements in 2025.

The visit to Italy next week marks another significant milestone in her recovery.

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