The Princess of Wales thanked the people of Reggio Emilia for “welcoming me into a culture of care with such warmth and generosity”

Catherine, Princess of Wales visits REMIDA, Reggio Emilia's creative resource centre, during the second day of her visit to Reggio Emilia on May 14, 2026 in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Kate Middleton at Remida in Reggio Emilia, Italy on May 14, 2026.Credit : Samir Hussein/WireImage

The visit was significant as her debut of taking her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood work to the world’s stage and doubled as her first first overseas work trip since her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 and remission announcement in January 2025.

“Over the past two days in Reggio Emilia, I have seen firsthand the power of nature and creativity that put human connection at the centre of a child’s world,” the Princess of Wales began.

“I have had such a deeply moving and unforgettable time here. Thank you to the people of Reggio Emilia for welcoming me into a culture of care with such warmth and generosity,” she continued.

“Our collective work in early childhood must be to protect and nurture the connections that form the foundations of life-long wellbeing,” she said and signed, “Grazie di cuore, C.”

The Italian phrase means “Thank you from the heart,” and Princess Kate used “C” as shorthand for her first name, Catherine, to indicate that the message came directly from her.

Catherine, Princess of Wales is welcomed by children as she arrives at Reggio Emilia town hall during a two-day visit in Italy, on May 13, 2026.

Kate Middleton in Reggio Emilia, Italy on May 13, 2026.Marco BERTORELLO / POOL / AFP via Getty

The Princess of Wales packed lots of stops into her trip to Italy, which ran from Wednesday, May 13, to Thursday, May 14.

The royal made the trip to further her early childhood mission and revealed that she had long hoped to visit Reggio Emilia, which is internationally renowned for its approach to early childhood education.

“I’ve been meaning to come for quite some time, so to be here now is very exciting,” she said at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, the philosophy’s hub, on May 13, according to royal reporter Roya Nikkhah.