Princess of Wales to make first overseas trip since cancer battle

ROME: The Princess of Wales has announced her first overseas visit since her cancer battle in 2024, as she also advances a major initiative focused on early childhood development.

The princess is gradually resuming public duties. On May 6, she visited the University of East London to introduce the latest phase of her childhood development project.

The upcoming visit will be a two-day trip to northern Italy. The tour is set to centre on the Reggio Emilia approach, an educational philosophy focused on preschool and primary school children.

The Centre for Early Childhood is examining the use of stress sensors and monitoring devices attached to children in an effort to better understand their emotional development and how they respond in different situations.

"The princess is very much looking forward to visiting Italy next week and seeing first-hand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and loving human relationships come together to support children’s development," a Kensington Palace spokesperson said.

Early years initiative

In 2021, the Princess launched Foundations for Life: A Guide to Social and Emotional Development, a resource intended to help teachers, parents and caregivers better understand children’s emotional growth in the early years.

Speaking about the guide, the Princess said, "In a world that feels increasingly distracted, fragmented and digital, it is more important than ever to invest in what truly helps us to thrive: human connection."

"While our society often focuses on academic or physical milestones, research consistently shows that it is our earliest relationships, experiences, and environments which lay the foundations for our future health and happiness," she added.

Before her cancer diagnosis, the Princess of Wales had maintained a full programme of royal engagements. In 2023, she carried out 128 royal engagements.

The latest developments indicate a measured return to public life, with her Italy visit marking a significant step in that process while also highlighting her long-running interest in children’s social and emotional development.