Princess of Wales speaks Italian as she is embraced by children during first foreign trip since cancer diagnosis

The Princess of Wales was met with large crowds of waving families in Italy as she began her first overseas trip since her cancer diagnosis.

The 44-year-old eagerly sought out children as she spent time meeting the locals in the heart of Reggio Emilia, beginning the global expansion of her mission to help the next generation of children.

Crouching down to speak to the little ones, the princess introduced herself as 'Caterina' – the Italian version of Catherine – before attempting more of the local language.

"Parlo un po' d'italiano," the princess said, telling the children she spoke just a little Italian.

"Come ti chiami? Io sono Caterina," she said, asking their names before introducing herself.

For her first day in the city, Kate wore a light blue trouser suit by Edeline Lee, a London-based Canadian fashion designer, and charm pendants by Asprey featuring an acorn and oak leaf which are also on her family's coat of arms. She carried a bag by British brand Aspinal and her blouse was by Holland Cooper, another UK label favoured by the royal.

The meet and greet took place in Piazza Camillo Prampolini where an estimated 3000 people turned out to see the princess, before she was officially welcomed to the northern Italian region by its mayor.

The princess is in Italy as part of a fact-finding mission in her work into the first five years of a child's life.

Inside the town hall, Catherine was presented with the city's highest honour, the 'Primo Tricolore' in recognition of her work into the first five years of a child's life. She was taken into the Sala del Tricolore room where the design for the modern Italian flag was created in 1797.

She returned to the town square for a second walkabout where the princess stopped to meet three-month-old Elena, whose mother held her over the barrier.

The Princess of Wales is in Reggio Emilia to learn about its approach to the early years – the period from birth to five years old – which was developed in the city after the Second World War and works across generations to prioritise early childhood.

Catherine was presented with the city's highest honour in recognition of her work into early childhood.

The two-day visit is a research trip with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, launched by the princess in 2021. Kate is looking to learn from the systems in place within Reggio Emilia and how carers there are supporting young children.

Kate has made early childhood the cornerstone of her work in the royal family over the past decade, focusing on the first five years of a child's life – a crucial period of development that has potential to change the fortunes of future generations.

The tour also signifies a major milestone in her recovery, heralding a return to official overseas travel for the princess.

The princess sought out baby Elena and spent time playing with the three-month-old.

Kate previously visited Denmark to learn how the Scandinavian country has pioneered efforts to give infants a better start in life. That visit, in 2022, was the princess' last solo tour outside of the UK.

Her time in Italy is short but significant and is expected to be the first of other overseas travels this year and next.

While there, she met with three local nonnas – grandmothers born around WWII who are considered to have been key in creating the early childhood philosophy the princess is in Italy to see.

The princess visited a preschool on day one of her trip to Italy.

The princess' first day in the region included a visit to the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre where she joined children in making clay models.

"It's encouraging children these days to slow down because their world is so fast-paced now," she said.

"It's getting them to notice things, in their sensory environment as well."

Kate made mention of her own three children Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, when she was shown a table covered filled with coloured plastic objects for play.

Kate was warmly embraced by children and locals who were thrilled to welcome the royal to town.

"I did this in lockdown with the children," she said. "We tried to find as many objects in the house as we could with as many colours in the rainbow as possible."

Her third and final engagement of the day was a visit to a childcare centre, Scuola Comunale d'infanzia Anna Frank.

"These are really special places and really special environments," the princess said.

"If only more educational settings had this approach."

Wednesday was not Kate's first time in Italy. When she was 18, the then-Kate Middleton spent three months studying art history in Florence at the British Institute.

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