Italians hang out of window as Kate makes solo visit – live updates

After chatting with crowds of hundreds well-wishers, Kate embarked on her second engagement of the day by paying a visit to the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre.

There, the princess toured studios and spaces where the Reggio Emilia approach, one of the world’s most historic and influential educational philosophies, is taught.

Following the Second World War, residents – many of them women – financed some of Italy’s inaugural nursery schools by selling scrap metal salvaged from equipment left behind by retreating German forces.

These pioneering efforts laid the groundwork for the educational philosophy, which is now influential worldwide and aligns closely with Catherine’s focus on children’s social and emotional wellbeing.

Catherine seems set to embark on a globe-trotting mission to spread her passion for improving young lives.

Kate’s last solo royal engagement overseas was in 2022, when the then Duchess of Cambridge visited Denmark for a two-day visit.

During her trip, Kate met with Queen Margarethe II and Crown Princess Mary, while also paying a visit to the University of Copenhagen and the LEGO Foundation PlayLab.

Few can forget the endearing footage of Kate, then 40, whizzing down a tube slide instead of taking the stairs during her visit to the PlayLab.

Screaming with laughter after emerging from the slide, she joked with the press saying ‘you stood far enough away!’ adding ‘In the spirit of where I am, I had to do it.’

Opting to step out in a £59.99 red Zara blazer and white ruffled blouse – the colours of the Danish flag – Kate was praised for her flair in diplomatic dressing, while the overall visit was deemed as a sign of her growth in confidence as a working royal.

Kate will today be awarded the Primo Tricolore, Reggio Emilia’s highest civic prize. It consists of a replica of Italy’s green, white and red national flag, first adopted in the city in 1797.

The honour marks her ongoing commitment to forging connections, the healing power of nature and acts of kindness, as well as her work with children and families.

The Reggio Emilia philosophy was developed by Italian educator Loris Malaguzzi after World War II, drawing on his years of experience working in early childhood education as well as psychology.

The project’s roots can be traced to his experience helping a group of women establish a school in a war-torn village in 1945.

He later went on to work with children with learning difficulties, which shaped his education philosophy about prioritising individual differences.

‘The idea is that children are competent from the very first months of life and we need to construct educational contexts that are able to bring out their potential,” Nando Rinaldi, director of schools and nurseries for the Reggio Emilia municipality, said.

He described Kate’s visit as ‘a great recognition for us’ and ‘a source of pride’.

Catherine is currently taking part in a discussion focusing on the historical, cultural and educational background of the Reggio Emilia approach.

The senior royal was captured with the mayor of Reggio Emilia, Marco Massari, and the prefect of Reggio Emilia, Salvatore Angieri, inside the Town Hall.

After World War Two, residents of Reggio Emilia — many of them women — helped finance some of Italy’s first nursery schools by selling scrap metal from military equipment abandoned by retreating German forces.

Pioneering schools for children under six took shape there decades before national legislation governing nurseries was adopted in 1968.

All eyes were fixed firmly on the Princess of Wales when she arrived in Reggio Emilia today, and eagle-eyed onlookers were keen to catch a glimpse of her stylish look for the momentous event.

For the start of her Italian visit, Kate opted for an Edeline Lee Ruched-Back Lola Blazer paired with the matching high-rise trousers.

The jacket retails for an eye-watering £1,350, while her trousers cost £650, bringing Kate’s overall look to £2,000.

To accessorise, the princess opted for a striking blue handbag and Ralph Lauren heels.

The Princess of Wales has received a warm welcome to Italy by the Mayor of Reggio Emilia and other civic leaders.

Catherine, who landed shortly after midday, was greeted with crowds of enthusiastic well-wishers in the town square, and looked effortlessly glamorous in a blue suit and white shirt.

The conscientious princess even took a moment to share a picture and a hug with a royal fan.

Catherine will visit two schools for under-fives and be honoured with an award from the city’s mayor for her work. She launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021.

Tomorrow Catherine will meet locals and learn how to make pasta at a traditional rural lunch outside Reggio Emilia, renowned as Italy’s culinary capital and for its Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

British diplomat Kassim Ramji, the Consul General in Milan, said the visit marked an important moment in UK-Italy relations.

Good afternoon and welcome to the Daily Mail’s live coverage of Princess Catherine’s first official royal visit in nearly four years.

Kate will be arriving in northern Italy today for a whirlwind two-day trip as part of her crusade for young children.

This marks a significant step forward in her return to full-time duties after her health setbacks, including her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment.

She will be welcomed to Reggio Emilia to witness the city’s crusading work on early years development for children and visit schools for under-fives. The princess, 44, is also set to be honoured with an award from the city’s mayor for her work.

Palace aides have described Kate’s Italian visit as a ‘huge moment’ for the princess, whose last solo visit abroad was to Denmark in 2022.