The Princess of Wales was greeted by fans in Italy (Image: GETTY)
Following her successful visit to Italy, her first international engagement since her cancer treatment, Princess Catherine reportedly made a swift two-word request to her staff. The Princess of Wales travelled to the Italian city of Florence on a fact-finding mission for her Centre for Early Childhood, which involved discovering more about the Reggio Emilia Approach to children’s education.
Her visit, regarded as a significant milestone in her recovery, reportedly prompted a question from the future Queen. The Times reports that, following her educational experience during the trip she told her team: “Where next?”.
According to the publication, her eagerness to explore further destinations is focused on “protecting human connection” in a world increasingly influenced by digital distractions – something she believes “has become one of the defining challenges of our time”.
Catherine reportedly made a swift request to her team (Image: GETTY)
In light of the 44-year-old’s excitement about the trip, a spokesperson for Kensington Palace indicated that this could signal a fresh chapter for the mother-of-three.
They said: “She was extremely inspired by what she saw this week and will be really pushing the team to quickly find out where’s next on the map. This is the first chapter in a much broader global effort led by the princess.”
Upon her arrival in Italy, Catherine received considerable cheers from the crowd as she was welcomed by the city’s mayor Marco Massari in the city’s Piazza Prampolini before a substantial public reception.
Catherine’s overseas solo engagement marks her first since her cancer remission was announced in January 2025. Despite more than a year having passed since that announcement, her recuperation has been a steady and gradual process.
Jennie Bond suggested that the trip represents a significant milestone for the Princess (Image: Mark Cuthbert, UK Press via Getty Images)
Former royal correspondent Jennie Bond has suggested that this trip represents a significant milestone for the Princess, particularly in terms of how her role within the Royal Family continues to evolve.
She told the Mirror: “This is certainly a welcome milestone in Catherine’s journey to full recovery, and the King will be delighted. He undoubtedly trusts her implicitly to represent the Royal Family both at home and abroad.”
Jennie added that the occasion would be considered a momentous one for both the King and Catherine’s husband, future monarch Prince William.
Jennie added: “She has a star quality that no other royal can bring to an occasion. And that’s a valuable asset for the monarchy. William will be equally pleased, and proud, to see his wife undertake an official solo trip abroad – it speaks volumes about her growing self-confidence after such a devastating health scare.”
Catherine’s eagerness regarding potential future engagements abroad followed Jennie’s assertion that this trip would serve as something of a test, and that should she feel at ease, further solo overseas visits could well follow.
She added: “If she feels comfortable about it, this visit will no doubt be the gateway to further official trips overseas… But Catherine has made it clear that her health and her family still come first…so we shall all just have to be patient.”