The Princess of Wales has expressed her profound gratitude following the completion of her educational visit to northern Italy.
Catherine shared a moving message after spending two days exploring early childhood education in Reggio Emilia.
“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,” she wrote.
“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.”
The Princess of Wales has expressed her profound gratitude following the completion of her educational visit to northern Italy.
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The Princess of Wales emphasised that “our collective work in early childhood must be to protect and nurture the connections that form the foundations of life-long wellbeing.”
She concluded with “Grazie di cuore” — meaning thank you with all my heart.
On the second day of her Italian trip, Catherine undertook a fact-finding visit to the Salvador Allende Scuola dell’infanzia, a municipal infant-toddler centre located near Bologna.
The facility serves children up to six years old and belongs to the city’s internationally acclaimed education system.
The Reggio Emilia teaching approach centres on three fundamental pillars: parents, educators, and the physical surroundings — with practitioners referring to the environment as “the third teacher”.
Catherine undertook a fact-finding visit to the Salvador Allende Scuola dell’infanzia, a municipal infant-toddler centre located near Bologna.
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Nature-based learning forms the core of the curriculum, with the school grounds incorporating a willow tree and bamboo forest for outdoor activities.
During her time there, the Princess of Wales participated in open-air lessons alongside young pupils and held discussions with staff members whose commitment to environmental education shapes both the building’s design and pedagogical approach.
Catherine began her Italian journey at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, where she immersed herself in the renowned educational philosophy that has attracted global attention.
The centre, established in 2006, serves as an international hub drawing more than 130,000 visitors annually — researchers, teachers and families seeking to understand and adopt the methodology.
It is named after the Italian psychologist and educator who founded the network of infant-toddler centres and preschools following the Second World War.
Catherine explored how the approach supports children’s social and emotional development and aligns with her Shaping Us Framework.
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President Maddalena Tedeschi, International Relations lead Emanuela Vercalli and Education Area Coordinator Paola Ricco welcomed the Princess upon her arrival.
Catherine explored how the approach supports children’s social and emotional development and aligns with her Shaping Us Framework.
She viewed the 100 languages poem written by Malaguzzi, which celebrates children’s myriad ways of expressing themselves and connecting with the world.
The Princess of Wales also met Latin American educators from Mexico, Brazil and Colombia who were studying the methodology to implement in their home countries.
On Wednesday, Catherine was presented with the Primo Tricolore, the highest honour bestowed by the city of Reggio Emilia.
On Wednesday, Catherine was presented with the Primo Tricolore, the highest honour bestowed by the city of Reggio Emilia.
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The prestigious award recognised her commitment to early years initiatives and the advancement of childhood development.
This civic distinction is granted exclusively to individuals or organisations that have delivered significant contributions in civic, cultural, scientific or democratic spheres.
Recipients typically demonstrate impact on an international level.
The royal’s visit aimed to examine how the celebrated Reggio Emilia philosophy could complement her own work promoting early childhood wellbeing through the Shaping Us Framework.
Her two-day educational trip provided firsthand insight into an approach that places human connection, creativity and the natural environment at the heart of children’s learning experiences.