Kate Middleton Welcomed to Italy by Huge Crowds in City Piazza

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The Princess of Wales met crowds in Reggio Emilia today as she began her first overseas visit since her cancer diagnosis. Kate, 44, was the star attraction in the Piazza Camillo Prampolini where crowds had gathered since the early hours of the morning to get to see her.

Kate arrived at the Piazza at 1:15 p.m. local time, having landed in Italy about 45 minutes earlier, and was greeted by Reggio Emilia’s mayor, Marco Massari, outside in the square. She bent down to talk to school children and hugged one fan on arrival before waving to the crowds.

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Kate meets young Italian children.

The Princess was taken into the Town Hall where she joined a discussion about how the city began developing their pioneering education approach in post-Second World War Italy. She was also due to be joined by women who were born at the end of the war who helped shape the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

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Fans waiting to catch a glimpse of Kate.

Senior reporter for regional newspaper Il Resto del Carlino, Paola Rosato, told T&C that Kate was very popular in Italy. “Italian people need a good story, a good representation of family,” he said. “I think Italian people see in Kate the following of the story of Diana. For my generation they are so important.”

An aide yesterday described this visit as a “huge moment” for the Princess. “Although there will be many highlights of 2026 I think this being her first official international visit, post her recovery, I think this is a really significant moment for her,” the aide said…”[This visit] is an important step in the Princess’s recovery journey. She takes great joy from this work. I think it’s only right that her first international trip since her illness is one that is focussed on an issue that she is committed to championing for decades to come.”

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The Princess has not traveled overseas for work since October 2023 when she went to Marseille to support the England rugby team in her role as Patron of the RFU. Her last tour was to the U.S. in late 2022 for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize. She was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024 and returned to work in September 2024 following chemotherapy treatment. This life-changing experience is said to have given Kate a new perspective.

Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.