Princess Kate RECAP: Royal receives highest honour as she shows off rare skill in Italy

The Princess of Wales has completed her first day in Italy, and this live blog is now closed.

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The Princess of Wales posed for a group photo with children and educators of the Scuola Comunale d'infanzia Anna Frank.

Catherine wrapped up the first day of her two-day working trip to Italy by seeing the Reggio Emilia approach in action.

Princess Catherine paid a visit to Scuola Comunale d'Infanzia Anna Frank this evening.

Scuola Comunale d'infanzia Anna Frank is a municipal pre-school for 3 – 6-year-olds, which uses the Reggio Emilia approach in its teaching, with a particular emphasis on creativity, relationships and the learning environment.

After learning about the Reggio Emilia approach at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre earlier, Catherine saw the educational philosophy in action and met the school’s staff, pupils and parents.

The Princess of Wales was welcomed by the president and director of Preschools and Infant-Toddler Centres, Federico Ruozzi and Nandi Ronaldi, as well as Elisa Di Benedetto, the school’s Pedagogista, which is an educational specialist of the approach.

The Princess took part in a creative session with a group of children showcasing the importance of an artistic approach, with the topic being “Winds of Stories, " which is also the theme for the storytelling festival a week later in Reggio Emilia. 

She also joined pupils and their parents in a classroom, where she discussed the impact of the Reggio Emilia approach on their children and on the school's community. 

The Princess of Wales impressed royal fans today after she spoke “perfect” Italian during her first day of her working trip to Italy.

The future Queen received a warm welcome with loud cheers upon her arrival this afternoon at the town square. She then greeted the mayor, Marco Massari, and made a beeline for a group of local pre-school children.

She told them in their native tongue, having picked up the language during her gap year in Florence in 2000: “I speak a bit of Italian. What is your name? I am Catarina.”

Princess Catherine is now visiting the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre to learn about the Reggio Emilia approach.

Catherine met educators and practitioners to learn more about the key concepts of the educational philosophy, how it supports social and emotional development and how it aligns to the skills in the Shaping Us Framework.  

She was welcomed by the Malaguzzi Centre’s President, Maddalena Tedeschi, her host and International Relations lead, Emanuela Vercalli, and Paola Ricco, Education Area Coordinator.  

Opened in 2006, the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre serves as a meeting place for international researchers, teachers, and families, focusing on creativity, research, and the documentation of children’s learning.

The Princess of Wales was presented with the ‘Primo Tricolore’, Reggio Emilia’s highest honour, in recognition of her early years' work today in Italy.

In the main chamber of the town hall, where Princess Catherine headed during her first engagement in Italy today, the mayor, Marco Massari, led a short ceremony in which he read out her credentials for the early years sector. 

After hearing the translated version, the Princess put her hand on her heart and said: "Wow, what an honour. I'm very grateful, it's very gratefully accepted."

She then spent half an hour sitting with local "nonnas" - Carla Nironi, Iona Bartoli, and Eletta Bertani - who told her about their work to spread the Reggio Emilia method throughout the community. 

All three women were born around the start of the Second World War, and are considered instrumental in creating the early years programme that the Princess is here to see. 

Speaking through a translator, Catherine told them: "I love that you put children and childhood at the heart of the community, and I'm really fascinated to learn more about it.” 

Afterwards, the princess told the mayor "I'm really grateful for the warm welcome," before signing the visitors’ book and heading back out to the blazing sunshine to greet the public.

Royal fans were delighted today after the Princess of Wales began her two-day trip in Italy.

Princess Catherine received a warm welcome as she arrived in Reggio Emilia for her first major royal tour in nearly four years to learn about an innovative approach to early years teaching.

Royal fans were jubilant to see the princess on an overseas tour and took to social media to praise her interaction with the public.

The Princess of Wales spent more than 15 minutes making her way along the barriers, greeting as many people as possible, as she departed her first engagement in Reggio Emilia.

Cheers and whoops greeted her at every turn, as the crowds couldn't contain their excitement that a royal had come to town.

A sweet moment between the princess and a baby has gone viral on social media.

People had gathered in the city square from quite early on to catch a glimpse of the princess.

Maria Angelo Redaelli woke up at 3.15am for her 200km trip to the city.

She said: "I just love the Royal Family and I just had to be here. And I am an English teacher, so I want to tell my students about her.

"The princess said my hat was very glamorous and I gave her a rose. She is so beautiful."

Meanwhile, Michael Cocchi handed the princess a bouquet of flowers.

Mr Cocchi said: "I gave Kate some flowers, pink and white roses, because I’ve loved Great Britain since I was a child.

"I admire British culture, I admire British history and I’m inspired by British literature. I think they’re all family still has an important role in British culture."

The Princess of Wales was seen holding a stunning powder blue handbag in Italy today.

According to various royal fashion pages online, it is designed by Asprey London.

The future Queen has been a long-time fan of the brand and has worn its jewellery and handbags on several occasions.

Princess Catherine departed her first engagement in her signature style by greeting well-wishers who had gathered to see her.

Leaving the Town Hall, the future Queen was seen walking along the barriers to greet the excited crowd.

They cheered and chanted “Kate” repeatedly as she stopped to chat and shake hands.

Princess Catherine was pictured posing with the mayor of Reggio Emilia, Marco Massari, and the prefect of Reggio Emilia, Salvatore Angieri, inside the Town Hall.

She's now taking part in a discussion focusing on the historical, cultural and educational circumstances that led to the development of the Reggio Emilia approach.

Princess Catherine shared a sweet moment with a group of preschool children as she arrived in Reggia Emilia this afternoon.

The Princess of Wales made a beeline for the youngsters and kneeled down to speak to them in Italian shortly after her arrival at the city's square.

Catherine spent three months of her gap year in Florence and has learned how to speak Italian.

The crowds whooped and cheered as Princess Catherine arrived in the square of Reggio Emilia, wearing a blue trouser suit.

Catherine's suit is by Canadian-British designer Edeline Lee.

The princess met the mayor before bending down to greet a group of local preschool children.

Catherine stopped to shake hands and greet some of the thousands of people before heading inside the town hall.

A couple of thousand people have gathered in the square of Reggio Emilia ahead of the Princess of Wales's arrival today.

People stand with union jacks, posters and even a cardboard cutout of Catherine as they excitedly wait for the royal arrival.

Dozens of people are even peering out of windows encircling the square.

The future Queen is expected to arrive shortly.

The Princess of Wales landed in Italy shortly before 12pm UK time.

Catherine is now travelling to Reggio Emilia near Bologna, where she will receive a civic welcome.

It's a cloudy day today in Reggio Emilia, as the city prepares to welcome its royal guest.

Princess Catherine will enjoy warm temperatures of 19 °C with moderate winds.

Crowds have already started gathering in the city centre, which had been decorated with British flags ahead of the princess's arrival.

The Princess of Wales will soon arrive in Italy to begin her two-day trip, which is her first overseas trip in over three-and-a-half years.

Eighteen months after Catherine announced she was in remission, the trip is seen as an “important step” in the Princess’ recovery as she throws herself into her early years' work with renewed vigour and plans to “take it up a gear”.

Though her team are mindful to find the right balance as she manages her return to work alongside her ongoing recovery.

An aide close to Catherine said: “This is a huge moment for the princess.

“There will be many highlights of 2026, but this being her first international visit post her recovery… this is a really significant moment for her.”

“I think it is only right that her first international trip since her illness is one that is focused on an issue that she is committed to championing for decades to come, and is a real issue that she wants to shine a spotlight on.”

They added: “She’s looking forward to being here, she’s energised, she’s enthused, she’s excited to see Reggio Emilia in action and meet the people here too.“She wants to look at other models around the world and really create a global conversation.”

The future Queen will later be welcomed to Reggio Emilia by the city’s mayor, Marco Massari, who will present her with the city’s highest honour in recognition of her early years work during a town hall ceremony.

Good morning and happy Wednesday! Sophia Papamavroudi here and along with my colleague in Italy, Royal Editor Emily Ferguson, we'll be bringing you all the latest news about the Princess of Wales's trip to Reggio Emilia, which starts today.

Stay tuned!