{"id":15950,"date":"2026-05-14T11:48:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T11:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/15950\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T11:48:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T11:48:10","slug":"kate-middletons-italian-skills-impress-locals-so-does-her-new-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/15950\/","title":{"rendered":"Kate Middleton’s Italian skills impress locals. So does her new name."},"content":{"rendered":"

Princess Kate\u2019s first solo overseas trip since completing cancer treatment has turned into an unexpected showcase of her Italian skills.<\/p>\n

During a visit to Reggio Emilia near Bologna on Wednesday and Thursday, the royal communicated comfortably with supporters \u2014 and introduced herself to children she met as \u201cCaterina\u201d, the Italian version of Catherine. Hello! Magazine shared a nice clip of Kate speaking Italian<\/a> on Instagram.<\/p>\n

Kate spent her year off before college in Florence, studying art history, prior to attending the University of St Andrews in Scotland \u2014 where she met Prince William. It\u2019s during this time that she learned Italian and is practicing it again while in the country this week. On Wednesday, Roberta Marzi, a teacher, told The Times<\/a> that Kate\u2019s Italian was \u201cperfect\u201d and added, \u201cshe spoke clearly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wednesday saw the royal greet over 3,000 well-wishers, including children from two local preschools. She displayed her natural ability to connect with strangers by conversing in their native language at various engagements, hugging children and members of the public, and cooing at a baby, held over the barricades by its mother.<\/p>\n

\"REGGIO<\/p>\n

The Princess of Wales hugs pre-school children during the second day of her visit to Reggio Emilia.<\/p>\n

(Pool via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

On Thursday, Kate\u2019s displayed more of her own motherly instincts \u2013 she has three children of her own, after all \u2014 during a tour of a pioneering preschool.<\/p>\n

Kate wore a stone-colored, pleated midi skirt for the event, paired with a Blaz\u00e9 Milano jacket and a bracelet from Milan-based brand Atelier Molayem.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, the royal wore a blue pantsuit by London-based designer Edeline Lee but made from fabrics woven in Italy \u2014 a subtle reminder of the reputation Kate\u2019s built by honoring countries she\u2019s visiting through her fashion choices. The pantsuit silhouette is one she\u2019s turned to numerous times in recent years for work trips.<\/p>\n

\"REGGIO<\/p>\n

Kate Middleton hugs a child as she visits an Italian municipal pre-school.<\/p>\n

(Pool via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The British royal is in Italy in support of her early childhood education campaign. It\u2019s something she\u2019s very passionate about \u2014 the royal founded The Centre for Early Childhood in 2021 to commission research for and raise awareness of how crucial the early years are in a child\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

A royal aide said the tour marked a “huge moment” for the royal. “Undoubtedly this is a huge moment for the princess. There will be many highlights of 2026, but this being her first official international visit post her recovery, this is a really significant moment for her,\u201d the aide said.<\/p>\n

When was Kate\u2019s last trip abroad?\"The<\/p>\n

Kate at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., in 2022.<\/p>\n

(Samir Hussein\/Pool via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been over three and a half years since Kate last traveled overseas for work. She visited the United States in December 2022, joining Prince William on a trip to Boston for his Earthshot Prize award ceremony.<\/p>\n

She has traveled privately since then \u2014 for the Rugby World Cup in fall 2023, the Crown Prince of Jordan’s wedding in Amman in June 2023 and family vacations \u2014 but none of these events were considered work trips.<\/p>\n

When was Kate diagnosed with cancer?<\/p>\n

Kate shared her cancer diagnosis with the world in March 2024, following mounting speculation after she briefly disappeared from the public eye.<\/p>\n

After weeks of people sharing conspiracy theories<\/a>, a video was posted on the Princess and Prince of Wales’s joint Instagram account on March 22 of that year.<\/p>\n

What type of cancer did Kate have?\u00a0<\/p>\n

The clip revealed that in January 2024, Kate had undergone a successful “major abdominal surgery,” which found that “cancer had been present.”<\/p>\n

The type of cancer Kate was diagnosed with was never shared with the public.<\/p>\n

Is Kate cancer-free?<\/p>\n

In September 2024, the royal revealed that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment. “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she said in an Instagram video.<\/p>\n

“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant, and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown,\u201d she said. \u201cThe cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.”<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

The Prince and Princess of Wales attend services on Easter Sunday in Windsor, England, in April 2026.<\/p>\n

(Max Mumby\/Indigo\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

While the mom of three shared that she had finished her chemotherapy, she said the road to recovery is “long” and that she has to “take each day as it comes.”<\/p>\n

In January 2025, Kate issued a statement<\/a> announcing that her cancer is in remission and she is focused “on recovery.”<\/p>\n

“As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal,\u201d she said. “I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.”<\/p>\n