Why Catherine's tour of Italy was so important to the royal family: 'Future of monarchy'

When the Princess of Wales stepped from her car to hordes of fans in Italy last week, it marked more than just her return to the world stage after a battle with cancer.

Catherine's decision to undertake her first overseas tour since 2022 was also a sign that she was finally ready to take up the mantle as the second most senior woman in the royal family and is a sign she is "back in business", according to a royal expert.

"She knows the eyes of the world are on her," Queen Elizabeth's former press secretary Ailsa Anderson told People. "It is a clear signal she is back in business."

The trip to Italy by Catherine, Princess of Wales, has marked a turning point.

Catherine had never travelled abroad as Princess of Wales before last week's trip to Reggio Emilia.

Her most recent overseas engagements – a trip to the Bahamas with Prince William in March 2022 and a two-day solo tour of Denmark in February that year – came before the death of Queen Elizabeth II catapulted her husband to second in line to the throne, and saw Catherine become queen-in-waiting.

Just 16 months after she became Princess of Wales, her life was upended by a health emergency that saw her undergo major abdominal surgery in January 2024, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of an undisclosed form of cancer and a course of preventative chemotherapy.

Her cancer battle saw her largely withdraw from the public eye, bar a couple of appearances.

The Princess of Wales at a Royal Garden Party shortly before her solo tour.

Russell Myers, the author of William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, said her absence was felt.

"There's no denying that everyone concerned has been missing the princess's star quality," he said.

"She is a huge draw wherever she goes. Catherine is undoubtedly a central force in the monarchy's popularity and ability to achieve its goals and move forward.

"There is no better time for her to return."

The Prince and Princess of Wales have been more visible in the past year.

Anderson told People she believed both Catherine and William were "upping their game" as they inch closer to becoming King and Queen, which meant becoming more visible.

"She is our future Queen," she said.

"As Queen Elizabeth used to say, you have to be seen to be believed.

"[Catherine] is glamorous, she is beautiful. She is warm and approachable."

One reason for their growing profile in recent months could be what Anderson called the "throbbing wound in the background" – Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

His links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein have continued to cast a stain on the royal family. Then there was his arrest earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office. No charges have been laid.

But these kinds of matters are why William and Catherine are needed like never before.

The couple and their three children are the future of the monarchy.

Catherine Mayer, author of the upcoming book Divide and Rule, told People that William and Catherine had a very important role in steadying the monarchy.

"For the moment, after that period of unprecedented turbulence, they are doing a very good job of making it look like the ship is steady," she said.

"That is why Kate is so important."

And while King Charles continues to work tirelessly, including a recent state visit to the US, despite being in the midst of his own cancer battle, Mayer said it was William and Catherine who in some ways were "[carrying] the whole thing".

"On the back of the King's successful visit to the States, William and Kate are upping their game," she said.

"Charles is the incumbent, but she and William are the future.

"There is no institution without them."

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