The Princess of Wales will mark a milestone in her cancer recovery next week, traveling to Italy to carry out her first royal engagement abroad since receiving her diagnosis and undergoing treatment.
The British royal will spend May 13 and 14 in Reggio Emilia in support of her early childhood education campaign.
The princess founded the Centre for Early Childhood in 2021 to commission research for and raise awareness of how crucial the early years are in a child’s life.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “The princess is very much looking forward to visiting Italy next week and seeing firsthand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and loving human relationships come together to support children’s development.”
When was Kate’s last trip abroad?
The Princess of Wales at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., in 2022.
(Samir Hussein/Pool via Getty Images)
It’s been over three and a half years since Kate last traveled overseas for work. She visited the United States in December 2022, joining Prince William on a trip to Boston for his Earthshot Prize award ceremony.
She has traveled privately since then — for the Rugby World Cup in fall 2023, the Crown Prince of Jordan’s wedding in Amman in June 2023 and family vacations — but none of these events were considered work trips.
When was Kate diagnosed with cancer?
Kate shared her cancer diagnosis with the world in March 2024, following mounting speculation after she briefly disappeared from the public eye.
After weeks of people sharing conspiracy theories, a video was posted on the Princess and Prince of Wales’s joint Instagram account on March 22 of that year.
What type of cancer did Kate have?
The clip revealed that in January 2024, Kate had undergone a successful “major abdominal surgery,” which found that “cancer had been present.”
The type of cancer Kate was diagnosed with was never shared with the public.
Is Kate cancer-free?
In September 2024, the royal revealed that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment. “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she said in an Instagram video.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant, and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown. The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales attend services on Easter Sunday in Windsor, England, in April 2026.
(Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
While the mom of three shared that she had finished her chemotherapy, she said the road to recovery is “long” and that she has to “take each day as it comes.”
In January 2025, Kate issued a statement announcing that her cancer is in remission and she is focused “on recovery.”
“As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal,” she said. “I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.”
