Princess of Wales Launches Early Childhood Development Guide at University of East London

Kate, the Princess of Wales, stepped out on May 6, 2026, at the University of East London in support of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. She helped launch a guide titled "Foundations for Life: A Guide to Social and Emotional Development" and met with students, families and researchers at the event.

Chris Jackson/AP photographed her smiling as she discussed research with families with babies and young children.

The appearance comes days before a scheduled trip that Kensington Palace announced will take her to Reggio Emilia, Italy, from May 13-14. It will mark Kate's first solo international trip since she first went public with her cancer diagnosis in March 2024. K.

On a solo trip was to Denmark in 2022. Kensington Palace said the organization chose Reggio Emilia because it is known for its approach to early childhood education that places relationships, environment and community at the centre of a child's development. The Reggio Emilia approach is widely respected for creating nurturing, creative and responsive learning environments.

Kate is expected to meet with educators, parents, children and community leaders while in Reggio Emilia. "The Princess is very much looking forward to visiting Italy next week and seeing first-hand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and loving human relationships come together to support children's development," a palace spokesperson said.

The organization focuses on supporting early childhood development and is making efforts to expand outside of the United Kingdom, according to the palace announcement. Kate first went public with her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, one month after King Charles III announced his own cancer diagnosis publicly. She has not revealed the type of cancer with which she was diagnosed.