William also said his wife came back “buzzing” from her Italy trip, which marked her first solo overseas visit since her cancer diagnosis

Catherine, Princess of Wales waves during a visit to REMIDA, Reggio Emilia's creative resource centre

Kate Middleton on May 14, 2026, in Reggio Emilia, Italy.Credit : Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

 

Prince William offered a glimpse into family life with Kate Middleton during a radio interview on Friday, May 22, revealing part of her nighttime routine.

While speaking with Heart Breakfast hosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden during a live broadcast from the Isles of Scilly, the Prince of Wales, 43, touched on Kate’s continued enthusiasm for early childhood development after recently returning from a fact-finding mission in Italy centered on her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.

“She wanted to go and do lots of research. She spends, God knows how much time now, looking through all the paperwork,” he said.

“She’s a proper pro on early years. Most evenings, I’m fighting to get past in the bedroom, what paperwork that she’s got lined up, ready to read,” he continued. “So, I’m pleased it went well for her — I think she came back buzzing.”

Like many parents, William and Kate’s evenings likely don’t fully slow down until their three children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8 — are in bed, making his remarks a revealing glimpse into how the Princess of Wales spends those quieter hours at home.

The remarks came just days after Kate, 44, visited Italy to tour the renowned Reggio Emilia approach — the child-centered educational philosophy.

Catherine, Princess of Wales visits the "Salvador Allende" Scuola dell'infanzia, during the second day of her visit to Reggio Emilia on May 14, 2026 in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Kate Middleton on May 14, 2026, in Reggio Emilia, Italy.Jordan Pettitt – Pool/Getty

The Italy trip, which also marked her first solo overseas visit in nearly four years — and her first since her cancer diagnosis — signaled a major expansion of the princess’s early-childhood work beyond Britain through a series of fact-finding visits focused on leading international education models.

“So proud, very, very proud. She’s been amazing,” William said following Kate’s trip. “She’s been through so much in the last couple of years, particularly. And yeah, she’d been looking forward to the Italian trip a lot. and so I’m really glad it went really well.”

At one preschool during the trip, Kate joined children outdoors as they explored nature, examined pond life and sculpted tree roots from clay. Smiling as she practiced her Italian, the princess introduced herself to students and learned new words from the children along the way.

Princess Charlotte of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 5, 2026 in Windsor, England.

Princess Charlotte, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Prince Louis and Prince William on April 5, 2026 in Windsor.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

At another school, children crowded around her for hugs and high fives as she chatted about animals and fondly recalled the family’s late dog, Lupo — noting the name means “wolf” in Italian.

After she left, some teachers were left in tears, with locals repeatedly comparing her tenderness to Princess Diana.

“She is like Diana was,” local reporter Paulo Rosato said. “Here in Italy, we need a good story — a good representation of family.”