The Princess of Wales impressed royal fans today after she spoke “perfect” Italian during her first day of her working trip to Italy. Princess Catherine began her visit to Reggio Emilia, near Bologna, which was described as a “really significant moment” after her cancer recovery, according to a royal aide.
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.”
Alice, five, was one of the children from Reggio Emilia-based Robinson Pre-School who spoke to the princess.
She said afterwards: “She asked my name in Italian. She spoke Italian very well.”
Teacher Roberta Marzi said meeting Catherine was “emotional”, adding: “She asked them some simple questions, but her Italian was perfect, she spoke clearly.”
The princess then briefly shook hands with some of the cheering crowds before heading inside the town hall, where she was presented with the ‘Primo Tricolore’, the city’s highest honour, in recognition of her early years work.
In the main chamber of the town hall, the mayor led a short ceremony in which he read out her credentials in 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 World War 2, and are considered instrumental in creating the early years programme that the princess is there 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.
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