Princess Kate concluded her two-day trip to Italy earlier today (Image: Getty)
The Princess of Wales said she had a “deeply moving and unforgettable time” in Reggio Emilia after spending two days in the city learning more about their innovative approach to early childhood. Sharing a message on social media last night, the princess said: “Over the past two days in Reggio Emilia, I have seen first hand the power of nature and creativity that put human connection at the centre of a child’s world.
“I have had such a deeply moving and unforgettable time here. Thank you to the people of Reggio Emilia for welcoming me into a culture of care with such warmth and generosity. Our collective work in early childhood must be to protect and nurture the connections that form the foundations of life-long wellbeing. Grazie di cuore (thank you from the heart). C.”
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The thank you message was shared alongside a photograph of the princess, taken by Alice Greenfield.
Catherine spent her final day in Italy making pasta, paying tribute to Sir David Attenborough and playing with children outside and was met by large crowds wherever she went.
Wearing a sand-coloured blazer from Italian brand Blaze Milano, a long flowing skirt and a fabric bracelet from a small business in Milan, Atelier Molayem, that retails for €10, the Princess started her final day in Reggio Emilia by immersing herself in the practices of an Italian preschool.
After waving to the large crowds outside the school, Catherine joined a group of youngsters sitting on tree stumps as they decided which activities to do during assembly. “Ciao a tutti!” (Hello everybody), she said, as the children introduced themselves to her one by one.
The group then told her about the outdoor space and what they enjoy doing. Told the children wanted to spend the day having fun with her, she replied: “Perfetto!”
The princess was led to the pond where Stefano Sturloni, who looks after gardens and nature at the city’s Preschools and Infant-toddler Centres Institution, showed them a tank containing newts.
Princess Kate made pasta (Image: Getty)
She bent down and was happy to handle one of the salamanders and told them: “David Attenborough says you have to be able to experience nature in order to protect it – it’s so true.” The famous natural historian celebrated his centenary last year, with the Prince of Wales and the King leading tributes.
Commenting on two young girls who were painting the garden, she asked: “Posso vedere? Wow! Bellissima!” (Can I see? Very beautiful!). She spent some time looking at the grasses through a magnifying glass and encouraging the children to do the same before joining another group who were modelling tree roots from clay to add to a display around a nearby living tree.
Catherine stopped to play some outdoor instruments with another group, including one girl in a wheelchair, who is hard of hearing, but can enjoy sound through vibrations.
Outside, she met parents and grandparents who volunteer at the on-site allotments, then joined pupils and staff, including the school’s cooks, for a lively group photograph. But the children were reluctant to let her leave, mobbing her with hugs as the adults asked for selfies.
Princess Kate’s trip was about learning more about the city’s approach to early childhood (Image: Getty)
Arriving at her next engagement almost 30 minutes later than planned, Catherine said the centre, where businesses donate materials to help pre-school children with creative play, reminded her of the children’s cartoon, Bob the Builder.
Visiting the Remida centre on her second day in Italy, she said: “There’s a popular character called Bob the Builder, and he has a philosophy of ‘Reduce, reuse, recycle’. And you embrace that here. It’s something as a mother and I feel as a family we do a lot is try to have at the back of our minds.”
The Remida centre is a resource hub where teachers can bring pre-school children to work on special projects designed to boost their learning through creativity.
Unwanted materials, including brightly-coloured wool, string, textiles and larger plastic tubes are brought to the centre after being donated by companies, including Tetra Pak.
At the forest school this morning Catherine spoke to the children outside.
The school places particular emphasis on outdoor learning and environmental education, including a garden with features like a willow tree and a bamboo forest. pic.twitter.com/LuU42x33xe
— Emily Ferguson (@emilyinpalace) May 14, 2026
The princess rounded off her Italian tour by masterfully rolling fresh pasta by hand. With help from chef Ivan Lampredi, she made some tortelli, a typical dish from the Emilia-Romagna region.
Catherine kneaded flour, oil, salt and water in a large bowl with her hands, and said: “When I do this at home it’s without a big bowl and it goes everywhere.” She added: “It’s a good workout.”
She rolled her pasta through the machine, and laughed when the handle fell off by accident. Catherine then piped a filling of fresh ricotta, spinach and parmesan cheese onto her pasta sheet and used a special tool to crimp the edges. Signor Lampredi, 49, who has been a chef for 30 years, told her: “You are hired.”
The princess was visiting Agriturismo Al Vigneto, a farm-stay vineyard and farmhouse in the hills, an hour’s drive outside the city of Reggio Emilia where she was joined by some of the people she has met over her two-day visit.
Aides said Catherine had wanted to thank them personally for their support and hospitality, and to acknowledge the role they play in sustaining a culture of care.
They sat down for a lunch of local produce, including charcuterie, fried tart, Parma ham and parmesan cheese, washed down with Lambrusco and Malvasia white wine.
