Kate Middleton in Italy: she conquers the hearts of the children of Reggio Emilia

Kate Middleton charmed everyone in Reggio Emilia: workshops with the children, greetings in impeccable Italian and gentleness, far from rigid protocol.

It was much more than an institutional visit: a journey built around childhood, a theme that has been central to Kate Middleton's public life for years. The Princess of Wales chose Reggio Emilia for her first official international engagement after a long convalescence, and the Emilian town welcomed her like a true star. The piazza Prampolini was transformed into a true crowd bath.

Between British flags, raised smartphones and moved children, Catherine appeared in an elegant sky-blue suit, with a naturalness that immediately won over the public. Alongside representatives of local institutions, dozens of schoolchildren from the "Reggio Children" network were waiting for her.

"Mi chiamo Caterina": the princess speaks Italian and melts children's hearts

One of the most touching moments of the day came when Kate approached the children, getting down to their level to chat with them. With a smile on her face, she began in Italian: "Parlo un po' di italiano" ("I speak a little Italian") before introducing herself under an Italianized name that made everyone smile: "Mi chiamo Catarina". The princess spent much of the visit listening to teachers, educators and pedagogues.

She wasn't content with perfunctory greetings: she asked many questions, showing a sincere curiosity about the work carried out in Reggio Emilia's schools, in particular around the famous "hundred languages" of the child, an educational principle that emphasizes the creativity, expression and participation of the very young.

Hands in clay and "work in progress" doves

Perhaps the most photographed moment of the visit was at the Loris Malaguzzi International Center, where Kate Middleton took part in a creative workshop with the children. Sitting alongside the educators, the princess plunged her hands into the clay to model little doves, joking that they were still a "work in progress". Far from the rigidity of formal occasions, Catherine was invested and spontaneous, taking part in activities without the slightest restraint and constantly exchanging with her neighbors.

Educators and pedagogues have described her as a woman of great presence, interested not only in the theoretical aspects of the educational meeducational method, but also in the emotional dimension of children, the inclusion of disabilities and the relationship between the school and families.

A human link with the city

Among the most moving moments of the day was a meeting with Elizabeth Spencer, a 24-year-old woman with a disability who had come specially to see the princess. Kate stopped to hug her and listen to her, providing a scene that quickly made the rounds on social media networks and the British media. There was no shortage of Emilian flavors on the visit program either. At the Malaguzzi Center, a buffet of erbazzone, rice cakes and local specialties had been prepared to introduce the princess to the gastronomic traditions of the land.

Day two: school, creative recycling and Italian pastry

Kate Middleton's Emilian tour continued on May 15 with an equally busy schedule of visits. The princess visited the Salvador Allende nursery school, another symbol of Reggio Emilia's education system, before moving on to the Re Mida center, a space dedicated to creative recycling and the transformation of materials. Perhaps the most unusual part of the tour was the time spent in the Parmesan hills, where Catherine slipped into the shoes of a true Emilian "rezdora". At a farmhouse inn in the Felino region, she learned how to roll out dough by hand, thus discovering the local culinary tradition.

An image far removed from the solemnity of Buckingham Palace, it reflected the tone chosen for this visit: less protocol and more authenticity. And that's precisely what impressed everyone: during her hours in Italy, the Princess showed not only the institutional face of the British monarchy, but above all a profoundly human dimension, made up of listening, curiosity and sincere attention to children. And for two days, Reggio Emilia was transformed into the epicenter of an international dialogue on education, creativity and child welfare.