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  "path": "/royal/princess-of-wales-reggio-emilia-italy-message-royal-tour",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-14T16:35:34.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
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    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
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  "textContent": "\n\n\nThe Princess of Wales has expressed her profound gratitude following the completion of her educational visit to northern Italy.\n\nCatherine shared a moving message after spending two days exploring early childhood education in Reggio Emilia.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"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.\n\n\"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.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nThe 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.\"\n\nShe concluded with \"Grazie di cuore\" — meaning thank you with all my heart.\n\nOn 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.\n\nThe facility serves children up to six years old and belongs to the city's internationally acclaimed education system.\n\nThe 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\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nNature-based learning forms the core of the curriculum, with the school grounds incorporating a willow tree and bamboo forest for outdoor activities.\n\nDuring 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.\n\nCatherine began her Italian journey at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, where she immersed herself in the renowned educational philosophy that has attracted global attention.\n\nThe 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.\n\nIt is named after the Italian psychologist and educator who founded the network of infant-toddler centres and preschools following the Second World War.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nPresident Maddalena Tedeschi, International Relations lead Emanuela Vercalli and Education Area Coordinator Paola Ricco welcomed the Princess upon her arrival.\n\nCatherine explored how the approach supports children's social and emotional development and aligns with her Shaping Us Framework.\n\nShe viewed the 100 languages poem written by Malaguzzi, which celebrates children's myriad ways of expressing themselves and connecting with the world.\n\nThe Princess of Wales also met Latin American educators from Mexico, Brazil and Colombia who were studying the methodology to implement in their home countries.\n\nOn Wednesday, Catherine was presented with the Primo Tricolore, the highest honour bestowed by the city of Reggio Emilia.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe prestigious award recognised her commitment to early years initiatives and the advancement of childhood development.\n\nThis civic distinction is granted exclusively to individuals or organisations that have delivered significant contributions in civic, cultural, scientific or democratic spheres.\n\nRecipients typically demonstrate impact on an international level.\n\nThe 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.\n\nHer 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.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Catherine tells Italians 'thank you with all my heart' as she issues statement on 'deeply moving' trip"
}