Kate Middleton is making an understated fashion statement as she begins her trip to Italy.

On May 13, the Princess of Wales kicked off her visit to Reggio Emilia, Italy, to learn more about the city’s renowned approach to early childhood education as her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood expands internationally.

Catherine, Princess of Wales visits the Piazza Camillo Prampolini where she is welcomed to the city at Reggio

Kate Middleton at the Piazza Camillo Prampolini in Reggio Emilia, Italy on May 13, 2026.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Princess Kate, 44, arrived at Piazza Camillo Prampolini wearing a crisp blue suit by Edeline Lee, a Canadian-British designer based in London.

She completed the look with a white blouse, baby blue handbag and tan pumps, plus pearl jewelry.

The Princess of Wales receiving a welcome to the city of Reggio Emilia at the start of her visit to Italy. Kate is visiting the area marking a significant next step in the work of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood as it expands internationally.

Kate Middleton in Reggio Emilia, Italy on May 13, 2026.Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty

Princess Kate stuck to a go-to royal uniform with the pantsuit, as she has made colorful trousers and matching blazers a staple in her rotation for public engagements since becoming the Princess of Wales in 2022.

“She’s got this big new title, and she’s dressing for that job,” The Telegraph‘s fashion director Bethan Holt previously told PEOPLE about how Kate streamlined her style to match her “promotion” in the royal fold.

While the Princess of Wales stuck with a go-to fashion formula, she also served a style surprise.

Catherine, Princess of Wales poses with the mayor of Reggio Emilia, Marco Massari, and the prefect of Reggio Emilia Salvatore Angieri, 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

For some, it was a surprise to see Princess Kate opting for a blue ensemble.

In the past, Kate has followed the late Queen Elizabeth’s tactic of flag dressing, or wearing a color from a country’s national flag, during trips abroad. However, for her first outing in Italy, she opted for a blue hue instead of red, white or green, the colors of the Italian flag.

She is also known to support local designers of the places she visits by wearing looks from their labels, with some predicting that she’ll highlight an Italian brand during her time in the country.

The Princess of Wales was welcomed to the city at Reggio Emilia

Kate Middleton in Reggio Emilia, Italy on May 13, 2026.Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

The Princess of Wales is visiting Reggio Emilia from Wednesday, May 13, to Thursday, May 14, for a fact-finding mission as she furthers her early childhood work. The solo visit is significant as her first international work trip since she announced her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 and remission news in January 2025.

Princess Kate received a rapturous welcome at the city’s town square from thousands of people who came out to see her. Some had arrived hours before to catch a glimpse of the princess.

Paulo Rosato, a senior reporter from Bologna newspaper Il Resto del Carlino, tells PEOPLE, “She is the most popular. She is like Diana Spencer was. She’s a symbol for good education and the family.”

“This is the best place in Italy for her to come. A region of Italy that can show a lot of good things. The education, the food,” says Rosato, describing the announcement about Kate’s trip as “a point of joy.”