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Royal fans were delighted today after the Princess of Wales began her two-day trip in Italy. Princess Catherine received a warm welcome as she arrived in Reggio Emilia for her first major royal tour in nearly four years to learn about an innovative approach to early years teaching.

She was welcomed by the city's mayor, Marco Massari, as she began a rare solo working trip with her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. The visit attracted hundreds of locals to the city's Piazza Prampolini, where they gave the princess a rapturous welcome outside the town hall.

Upon her departure, the royal spent more than 15 minutes making her way along the barriers, greeting as many people as possible.

Cheers and whoops greeted her at every turn, as the crowds couldn't contain their excitement that a royal had come to town.

Catherine was dressed in a blue trouser suit by Canadian-British designer Edeline Lee.

Royal fans were delighted to see the princess on an overseas tour and took to social media to praise her interaction with the public.

One user wrote on X: "Genuine, warm & loving Catherine, our Princess of Wales."

Another one opined: "She's so loved and no one will take that away from her."

A third one chimed: "And that is how one does a royal visit!"

A fourth one said: "Can't believe the screams, it's like she's a pop star."

A fifth one commented: "Everyone loves Catherine."

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

The future Queen will take her early years crusade around the world to start a conversation about the issue, the aide added.

Early years has been central to her public work for more than a decade and the visit comes after Kate last week launched a new resource for people working with youngsters and their families, from her foundation.