Princess Catherine visits Italy on first overseas trip since cancer diagnosis

Pioneer Ione Bartoli praises visit as honour for city's educational achievements

Eighteen months on, palace sources are presenting the two day visit as an important step in her recovery, one designed to match improving health with a gradual return to frontline royal duties.

The future queen is in northern Italy for a two-day visit focused on early childhood development.

The princess will travel to Reggio Emilia in northern Italy to learn about its child-centered approach to early education, which has become a focal point for educators around the world.