Princess Kate melts hearts in Italy as children cling to her during emotional school visit

The Princess of Wales was mobbed by young children on a visit to an Italian preschool after spending the morning with them exploring nature in the grounds. 

Kate, who had again introduced herself as “Caterina”, was hugged and held onto by the children after posing for a group photograph with pupils and staff at the Salvador Allende pre-school on the outskirts of Reggio Emilia. 

Wearing a blazer by Italian brand Blaize Milano and a fabric bracelet by Atelier Malayan, a small label based in Milan, the Princess practised her Italian with children aged three to six and joined them for activities including handling newts from the pond, rolling “tree roots” from clay and marvelling at the school’s peaceful outdoor setting. 

Although the visit had not been announced in advance, several hundred people had gathered in the street opposite the school and began the chant of “Kate, Kate, Kate!” and “Kate, we love you!” as she arrived.

She was welcomed to the pre-school’s outdoor assembly area, taking a seat on a tree stump and saying: “Ciao a tutti!” (Hello everybody) as the children introduced themselves to her one by one. 

One girl said in English “My name is Rebecca.” 

“Well done!” Kate told her, saying, with a flourish, “Caterina!” when it came to her turn. Told another child was also called Caterina she said “We’re the same!”

The children then told her about the outdoor space and what they like to do. Told the children wanted to spend the day having fun with her, she replied: “Perfetto!”

The school places particular emphasis on outdoor learning and environmental education and activities are chosen each morning during assembly by the children themselves.

See more from Kate’s Italian tour below…

The youngsters led the Princess to the pond, where Stefano Sturloni, atelierista for gardens and nature at the city’s Preschools and Infant-toddler Centres Institution, showed them a tank containing newts. 

Kate gamely joined the children in handling one, telling Stefano: “In most urban areas, even in central London, we have newts like this. It’s extraordinary, if you look and spend time, you realise how close it is to you.” 

“David Attenborough says you have to be able to experience nature in order to protect it – it’s so true.” 

Stopping at a spot where two little girls were painting the garden, she remarked: “It’s so nice for them to be able to stop and take time. Do they enjoy painting and art and drawing?” She was told the children did it every day.

“And they can be far more expressive when they do things outside,” added Kate. “Nature itself is creative and free-flowing. It’s a teacher to us in so many ways.” 

Crouching down to speak to another two girls who were drawing grasses and flowers, she asked “Posso vedere? Wow! Bellissima!” (Can I see? Very beautiful!). 

She spent some time looking at the grasses through a magnifying glass and encouraging the children to do the same, moving on after telling them: “Grazie mille, ciao!”

She joined another group who were modelling tree roots from clay to add to a display around a living tree nearby. “Can you teach me some Italian?” she asked one boy. “Come stai?” (How are you?) he asked her.

“Bene, grazie mille,” she replied, smiling. Another boy told her the word for “roots” is radici, which she repeated. “I’ve learned a new word, thank you,” she said. She then rolled her own clay root, before adding it to the base of the tree. 

Kate stopped to play some outdoor instruments with another group, including one girl in a wheelchair, who is hard of hearing, but can enjoy sound through vibrations. Spotting another boy stroking the little girl’s forehead, she asked: “Is this your friend? Lucky her to have such lovely friends.”

As she made her way to the school’s exit, she commented on the opportunity to spend time in nature. “In the digital age that we’re living in it’s difficult not to forget that we are of nature and it’s important to connect to it. 

“It’s a way to interact with a part of ourselves that we don’t get a chance to, often, in everyday life.”

Before leaving, the Princess was presented with the first English copy of Stefano’s book about nature and learning, called “With Your Hearts Outside”.

Thanking him, she said: “I’m passionate about creating environments where love can flourish. It’s been a really inspiring visit. These gifts are so special, thank you!”

Outside, she met parents and grandparents who volunteer at the on-site allotments, then joined pupils and staff including the school’s cooks for a lively group photograph. The group were reluctant to let her leave and children moved in for hugs and adults for selfies. 

And before departing for her next engagement, Kate made a quick diversion to say hello to pupils from a neighbouring primary school, who had turned out in force, waving Union flags and shouting her name.

Annalisa Rabotti, Pedagogical coordinator for Reggio Emilia, who had escorted the Princess on the visit, said she felt “honoured and very emotional”. 

“She’s a very special woman. She looks you in the eye and treats you as an equal. I was surprised and I’m very happy.”She said the visit would help to spread the Reggio Emilia approach, adding: “I think she (Kate) saw the way in which teachers speak with and listen to the children. Everything begins with the children.”

Learn more about Princess Kate’s trip to Italy below…