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\n \n Catherine, Princess of Wales<\/a>, has been given a rapturous welcome <\/strong>in Italy on her first official overseas trip since being treated for cancer.\n <\/p>\n \n The British royal is on a two-day solo working trip with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she launched in 2021 to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood on later life outcomes.\n <\/p>\n \n In the small, northern Italian<\/a> city of Reggio Emilia, the princess looked radiant as she smiled and waved at wellwishers gathered outside the town hall, where she was awarded the city\u2019s highest honor – the Primo Tricolore.\n <\/p>\n \n Chants of \u201cKate, Kate\u201d rang out as she chatted with members of the public on a brief walkabout, admitting to one: \u201cI need to practise my Italian.\u201d Some offered her flowers and gifts.\n <\/p>\n \n There was a palpable sense of pride in the city that Catherine had chosen to spotlight its pioneering approach to preschool education – one that has since been replicated in countries across the world.\n <\/p>\n \n The \u201cReggio Emilia Approach\u201d prioritizes creativity, relationships, and hands-on discovery \u2013 all themes Catherine has spearheaded with her own work. First developed after World War II, the approach to early learning has become nearly as defining for the city as the local cheese Parmigiano Reggiano<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cIt\u2019s a great honor and the way she has approached the city and the experience shows a real interest, not just a facade but something deep which is incredible,\u201d one wellwisher told celebrity.land.\n <\/p>\n \n Catherine, one of the most popular members of Britain\u2019s royal family, revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer<\/a> after undergoing major abdominal surgery more than two years ago. In January 2025, she announced that she was in remission.\n <\/p>\n \n An aide to the Princess of Wales described the visit as \u201can important step in the Princess\u2019 recovery journey,\u201d adding \u201cshe takes great joy from this work.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n This is the royal\u2019s first official visit to Italy, though she spent time in Florence after school and before she went to university and has been \u201cremembering the happy memories,\u201d said the aide.\n <\/p>\n
\n Reggio Emilia, Italy
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