The Princess of Wales embarked on day one of her whirlwind visit to Italy today and has received the city of Reggio Emilia’s highest honour for her work promoting the early years development of children.

Catherine, 44, received a momentous welcome from hundreds of royal fans who lined the Piazza Camillo Prampolini in the city of Reggio Emilia. Some were hanging out of windows surrounding the town square.

The future Queen stepped out in a striking blue Edeline Lee Ruched-Back Lola Blazer and matching high-rise trousers, bringing her overall look to a cost of £2,000.

Greeted by the mayor of Reggio Emilia, Kate took a brief moment to chat with members of the crowd and delighted royal fans by speaking in Italian. Baby Elena, aged three months, was held over the barrier by her mother Marta and beamed as the future queen took a moment to play with her.

He first engagement was at the city’s town hall, where the mayor, Marco Massari, awarded her the Primo Tricolore, the city’s highest honour.

‘Wow, what an honour,’ responded the princess. ‘I’m very grateful, it’s very gratefully accepted.’

In the afternoon, Kate rolled up her sleeves for a clay workshop at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre before paying a visit to Scuola Comunale d’infanzia Anna Frank, a municipal pre-school for three to six-year-olds, as her final royal engagement of the day.

Kate’s two-day visit to Reggio Emilia, near Bologna, is the beginning of a ‘really significant moment’ after her recovery, an aide to the princess said, with Kate ‘taking it up a gear’ in her ‘global mission’.

The senior royal revealed at the start of last year that she was in remission after receiving chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer.

Here is a recap of everything that happened during day one of Kate’s solo visit to Italy:

The Princess of Wales was met by a crowd of 1,000 people – including a very excited-looking baby – as she arrived for a two-day trip to Reggio Emilia. She hugged schoolchildren, posed for selfies and accepted bouquets of flowers.
Looking relaxed and radiant in a blue Edeline Lee trouser suit, the princess – who spent her gap year in Italy – told the youngsters in their native language: ‘I speak a bit of Italian. What is your name? I am Catarina.’
Her first engagement of the day was in the city’s town hall where she met the mayor, Marco Massari. Inside the main chamber, the princess was awarded the Primo Tricolore, the city’s highest honour.
Kate then paid a visit to the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre where she showed her incredible versatility with an immersive clay workshop.
As her final engagement of the day, the princess visited Scuola Comunale d’infanzia Anna Frank, a municipal pre-school for three to six-year-olds.
Kate then took part in a creative session with the young children, while also joining both the pupils and parents in a classroom to discuss the impact of the Reggio Emilia approach on the school’s wider community.

22:57

PICTURED: Empathetic Kate cuddles children during visit to pre-school

22:50

The personal meaning behind Kate’s jewellery choices on day one of solo Italy trip

As we approach the end of the first day of Kate’s solo Italian trip, the Princess of Wales’s striking look will no doubt be remembered in the minds of many.

Opting for a pop of blue, Kate’s Edeline Lee ‘Lola’ Jacket in Cornflower matched with the ‘Averill’ trousers, were certainly head turners.

Ensuring to incorporate a colour of the Italian flag, the princess selected a Holland Cooper White Shirt Bodysuit, which retails at £119.

Her Asprey London Mini Handbag in Sky Blue was the star of the show. Retailing at ££3,995, it was a fitting choice given Kate’s long-documented love of the brand.

To accessorise, she opted for Kimi McDonough hoop earrings and a Vintage Chain Pearl Necklace fit with oak and acorns.

The oak and acorn design holds a particular significance as they are symbols from the Middleton family coat of arms.

Kate’s wedding earrings, which were commissioned by her parents, also featured a similar design.

22:36

Italians praise ‘beautiful’ Princess Kate and her ‘perfect Italian’ during poignant visit

As Britain’s future Queen touched down in Italy this afternoon, hundreds of avid fans were eagerly anticipating her arrival.

Maria Angelo Redaelli set her alarm for 3.15am to make the 200km trip from her home in Lecco to Reggio Emilia.

She said: ‘I just love the royal family and I just had to be here. And I am an English teacher so I want to tell my students about her.

‘The princess said my hat was very glamorous and I gave her a rose. She is so beautiful.’

Marilena Prediere, 43, of Reggio Emilia spoke to Kate outside. She said: ‘I said give a big hug to your children.

‘I said you are beautiful and it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m from Reggio Emilia and this is a historic moment.’

Teacher Roberta Marzi said meeting the princess was ’emotional’, adding: ‘She asked them some simple questions but her Italian was perfect she spoke clearly.’

Michael Cocchi, 51, from Parma, who was wearing a Wales rugby top, handed Catherine a bouquet as she shook hands with dozens of well-wishers.

Mr Cocchi said: ‘I gave Kate some flowers, pink and white roses, because I’ve loved Great Britain since I was a child.

‘I admire British culture, I admire British history and I’m inspired by British literature. I think they’re all family still has an important role in British culture.’

22:25

Beaming Kate clutches bouquet of flowers before meeting Italian schoolchildren

The Princess of Wales clutched a bouquet of flowers as she departed the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre during the first day of her visit to Reggio Emilia.

She then paid a visit to Scuola Comunale d’infanzia Anna Frank, a municipal pre-school for three to six-year-olds, as her final royal engagement of the day.

There, Kate received a warm welcome by the president and director of Preschools and Infant-Toddler Centres, Federico Ruozzi and Nandi Ronaldi, alongside Elisa Di Benedetto, the school’s Pedagogista.

Kate then took part in a creative session with the young children, while also joining both the pupils and parents in a classroom to discuss the impact of the Reggio Emilia approach on the school’s wider community.

22:08

Kate rolls up her sleeves during clay workshop

During her visit to the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, the Princess of Wales showed her incredible versatility with an immersive clay workshop.

She was welcomed by the Malaguzzi Centre’s President, Maddalena Tedeschi, her host and International Relations lead, Emanuela Vercalli, and Paola Ricco, Education Area Coordinator.

There, she learnt about the work of the atelieristas – the specialist artist-educators of the Reggio Emilia Approach.

Showcasing her love for Italy, the princess revealed that she had been ‘meaning to come for some time’.

21:58

Princess of Wales receives special honour

Kate, 44, has been presented with the ‘Primo Tricolore’, the highest honour of Reggio Emilia, in the main chamber of the town hall.

After hearing mayor Marco Massari speak, Kate said: ‘Wow, what an honour. I’m very grateful, it’s very gratefully accepted.’

She then spent half an hour sitting with local “nonnas” – Carla Nironi, Iona Bartoli, and Eletta Bertani – who spoke about their integral work in spreading the Reggio Emilia method throughout the community.

Speaking through a translator, the Princess of Wales said: ‘I love that you put children and childhood at the heart of the community, and I’m really fascinated to learn more about it.’

She also thanked the mayor for the ‘warm welcome’ to Italy, and added: ‘I’m really grateful’.

21:46

WATCH: Kate has sweet encounter with excited-looking baby in Italy

21:11

‘I am Catarina’: Princess of Wales delights royal fans in Italy – and a very excited baby – as she speaks their language

The Princess of Wales greeted well-wishers in Italian saying ‘I am Catarina’ as she was given a rapturous welcome.

Catherine was met by a crowd of 1,000 people – including a very excited-looking baby – as she arrived for her two-day trip to Reggio Emilia.

Prince William’s wife hugged schoolchildren, posed for selfies and accepted bouquets of flowers.

Looking relaxed and radiant in a blue Edeline Lee trouser suit, the princess – who spent her gap year in Italy – told the youngsters in their native language: ‘I speak a bit of Italian. What is your name? I am Catarina.’

Royal fans lined the Piazza Camillo Prampolini in the city and Catherine stopped to greet pre-school children in the cobbled square.

Some excited locals were hanging out of windows surrounding the area.

20:45

Kate’s long-standing Italian connection

The Princess of Wales has a profound decades-long personal connection to Italy which is rooted in her formative gap year in Florence, Italy in 2000.

Kate has previously described having rather ‘happy memories’ of her time at the British Institute in Florence studying Italian and art history.

A royal aide revealed ahead of the princess’s arrival in Italy today: ‘She was remembering the happy memories that she had during her time in Florence on her gap year.

‘She’s had many conversations with her husband the Prince of Wales, and her children about this trip, and they’re looking forward to hearing about it on her return to the UK.’