Princess of Wales’s Italy trip signals ‘new normal’ for royal tours

Dorothy Reddin Sat, May 9, 2026 at 4:54 PM UTC

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Catherine, Princess of Wales’s upcoming trip to Italy marks the start of a “new normal” for royal overseas visits, according to commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, who believes future tours are likely to be more carefully tailored around the princess’s health, family life and personal priorities.

Kensington Palace has confirmed that Catherine will travel to Reggio Emilia next week for a two-day working visit focused on early childhood development - her first official overseas engagement since announcing she was in remission from cancer.

Palace aides said the visit will support the international expansion of her Centre for Early Childhood and explore the globally respected Reggio Emilia educational approach.

Speaking about the significance of the trip, Mr Fitzwilliams told GB News that Catherine’s public role had inevitably changed after what he described as a difficult period.

He said: “Catherine has had a very difficult period. Also, she's balancing things.

“Above everything else, health is important because without that, you can't operate and function.”

Mr Fitzwilliams said the princess’s evolving approach to royal duties also reflected her growing emphasis on causes close to her heart.

He explained: “She believes in the outdoors, nature and so on, as we saw in those recent videos.

Princess of Wales | Source: REUTERS

“The Waleses unquestionably have got this unique profile with people longing to see them.”

Catherine’s last major overseas visit with Prince William was their three-day visit to Boston in December 2022 for the Earthshot Prize Awards.

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Before that, their last major full-scale official tour was in the Caribbean in March 2022.

Mr Fitzwilliams contrasted Catherine’s new approach with earlier royal tours, including the high-intensity 2018 tour undertaken by Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Prince William and Princess of Wales | Source: GETTY

“Harry and Meghan went to the Antipodes in 2018. I think an amazing number... They fitted in 16 days. I can't remember exactly, but it really was daunting.”

He added: “The one in Italy is more balanced. This is going to be a new normal.”

According to Mr Fitzwilliams, that does not mean traditional royal diplomacy is disappearing altogether.

“But I don't see an abandonment of the royal official visit,” he clarified.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Source: GETTY

“This is a brilliant way of handling her first official trip abroad (since her remission), absolutely so.”

He added that royal travel would increasingly be adapted to suit modern circumstances.

“They can change, and they must change. It's only sensible, given the circumstances.”

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