Buckingham Palace breaks silence on Kate Middleton's Italy visit

Buckingham Palace has finally confirmed Princess of Wales Kate Middleton will visit Italy next week, her first foreign trip since her cancer diagnosis.

Kensington Palace spokesperson released a statement on Wednesday and confirmed that Kate will visit Italy solo.

The Princess of Wales will take part in her first official foreign visit in three-and-a-half years next week, travelling to Italy to promote her early years work - but she will be travelling solo.

It will Kate’s first overseas royal visit since her cancer diagnosis when she travels to Italy, Kensington palace said Wednesday.

The trip to Reggio Emilia in northern Italy will focus on the Princess of Wales´s work in early years child development, said a palace statement.

"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."

Catherine, who is married to heir to the throne Prince William, announced in January 2025 that she was in remission from cancer, and has been gradually returning to public royal duties.

During the two-day visit Catherine, also known as Kate, will learn about the Reggio Emilia Approach, an educational philosophy which focuses on the idea that children have the potential for self-development.

A palace spokesperson said the specialist approach would help build on work by her Centre for Early Childhood.

Meanwhile, following this announcement, royal family confirmed Kate Middleton’s trip in its official diary saying “ “13 May 2026, The Princess of Wales Joint Patron, the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, will visit Reggio Emilia, Italy.”