Something has shifted in Princess Kate and this is the most vocal I have seen her in a long time

It was a topic on which she is extremely well versed and a setting where she clearly felt at ease. 

I’ve been lucky enough to watch Kate at work like this up close for many years now, but on this trip I really got a sense of her renewed energy and vigour after the most challenging period of her life.

Watching her early on Thursday morning, crouching in the grass, rolling clay and speaking Italian with youngsters at the Salvador Allende preschool on the outskirts of Reggio Emilia, it was clear that she was in her happy place. 

© Samir Hussein/WireImage

This is Kate at her most natural - fully immersed in a subject she is passionate about, while also relishing the simplicity of sharing moments of discovery and fun in Nature with little ones - marvelling at their curiosity and gently encouraging their  imagination. 

It gave a real insight into the way she has brought up her own children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and served as a reminder that she is, in essence, a mother who wants the best for all children, not just her own.

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Another thing that has struck me over recent months, but especially here in Italy, is just how much more vocal Kate is becoming. 

She is, by nature, a shy and reserved person, and the demands of her unique role have required her to overcome her nerves around public speaking.

But while she didn’t give any formal address during this visit, she clearly wanted her message to land. 

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During the engagement at the pre-school, she made repeated references to the importance of nature and our need to connect with it. 

(Her Italian was impressive again, by the way. Although her vocabulary may be limited, her accent and delivery are polished and she could clearly understand much of what was being said to her.)

She also spoke more personally and emotionally than she has on previous overseas trips, with her message on departure being a clear example. 

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“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.

“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.”

She went on to sign off with a “grazie di cuore” or thanks from the heart, and her initial “C”.

This kind of direct and personal messaging is a far cry from what we have seen in previous generations of the royal family, although the King and Queen have also laid the foundations for it since the start of this reign. 

But for Kate, it is also something that has grown from her experience of illness and recovery. She has, as she has said herself, a new perspective on life, and with that comes a willingness to share what she believes in, as well as her own feelings and emotions. 

She is quietly telling the world that we should prioritise the relationships our children experience and their connection to nature, not just because science shows how much both factors influence a child’s adult life, but also because they have given her so much strength during her own recent illness. 

She’s not just quoting studies, but citing her own experience.  

© Samir Hussein/WireImage

There may have been moments during 2024 - the year Prince William described as “brutal” and “the hardest” of his life, when she wondered whether she would be able to travel like this again. 

Seeing her in Italy this week surrounded by the love of the Italian people is a powerful illustration of just how far she has come.  

Thanks so much for following along. Don’t miss this week’s episode of A Right Royal Podcast, which will be all about Kate’s trip, as well as the latest from the rest of the royal family. I’ll also be sharing more from behind the scenes with the VIP community over the weekend.