Pre-schoolers, police snipers, nuns, journalists, photographers and one very smiley baby held aloft for the VIP visitor: all the ingredients for a very Italian royal walkabout were in place in Reggio Emilia today.
The 3,000-strong crowd had come to see the Princess of Wales – some from as far as 200km away – and she did not disappoint, spending around 15 minutes after her planned meeting with the mayor, speaking to and greeting as many of them as she could.
I spoke to the five and six-year-olds who she met, along with their teacher Roberta Marzi, who described the meeting as "thrilling" and said Kate's Italian had been perfect. The Princess learned some of the language during her three-month stay in Florence back in 2000 and still sounded good all these years later.
Some in the sea of faces had been awake since 3.15am in order to get into position for the historic moment, and many were left screaming in delight when she stopped for selfies.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageAnd the "Katemania" was catching. Cries of "Kate, Kate, Kate!" echoed around the beautiful, medieval Piazza Prampolini in Reggio Emilia as she embraced the so-called "bagno di folla" I wrote about last week.
At moments, it felt less like a traditional royal walkabout and more like a red carpet outside a film premiere.
But amid the excitement, another name on many lips was that of Diana, the last person to hold the title of Princess of Wales. For those old enough to remember, the future Queen's visit evoked memories of the mother-in-law she sadly never met.
© GC Images"She (Kate) is the most popular. She is like Diana Spencer was," Paolo Rosato, a senior journalist at Il Resto Del Carlino newspaper, tells me. "I think Italian people see Kate as following on from Diana. For my generation, Diana was so important. I'm 44 but my daughter is nine, and she knows Kate and likes her very much.
"I think their (Kate and Diana's) stories are close. She has replaced Diana in people's affections, so the announcement of her trip here was a moment of joy and great happiness."
From what I saw in Reggio Emilia the love felt for Kate certainly does appear to echo that felt for Diana. She brings the same glamour and excitement, certainly, but what struck me repeatedly was the genuine personal warmth people seem to feel towards her.
Sadly, as we know all too well, Diana's story ended in tragedy. But that of the current Princess of Wales is one that clearly has the power to uplift all over the world. Perhaps that helps explain why the royal family still holds such fascination here.
As Paolo Rosato put it: "Italy has a lot of problems and Italians like the royal family, because we need a good story, a good representation of family."
Fitting then, that Kate's visit is all about modelling a positive way for families to raise their children. But for the locals welcoming her, it's about more than her message. It was a moment for them to feel proud that their city is the one she wanted to visit for her milestone return to overseas duties.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageThat pride and joy was visible on the faces of teachers at the Anna Frank preschool she visited later in the afternoon, where many were moved to tears by her recognition of their work.
For a city that believes children should be nurtured, listened to and valued, there was something particularly stirring about seeing that work recognised on such a global platform by one of the world's most famous women. Across Reggio Emilia, the collective joy at this special visit was almost tangible and will live long in the memories of everyone who was there.
© Getty ImagesFor me – and I should say I have spent a couple of brief periods living in Italy, having studied Italian for my degree – it was a brilliantly Italian experience: full of fun, expressive conversation and heartfelt emotion.
Perhaps the most wonderfully Italian image of the day came courtesy of a priest and a police sniper, wearing a black balaclava, standing side by side on a balcony overlooking the square as the Princess greeted the crowds below.
If today proved anything, it's that Kate's presence on an international stage carries an emotional power few public figures in the world can rival. And if this trip marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Princess of Wales, Italy could hardly have offered a warmer opening scene.
