Prior to her life as royal, Kate spent a formative gap year in Florence as she immersed herself in the language and art history at the British Institute of Florence. However, as much as the year was a time of discovery, learning, and independence, it was also a time of emotional healing.

According to royal biographer Katie Nicholl, the future princess arrived in Italy with a broken heart after a break up with her high school boyfriend, Harry Blakelock. So, while navigating through the split, she kept her focus firmly on her education and friendships.

At time time, she was known as someone who embraced student life, while exploring historic landmarks, and evenings out with fellow students at Florence’s Art Bar in the Santa Maria Novella district. Those close to her portrayed her as a young woman who was grounded, composed, and unassuming - never one to take thing too far, Hello Magazine reports.

"She would never ever let herself get out of control," one friend recalled, adding that while Kate might enjoy a glass of wine, she knew her limits. Another friend shared that despite the attentions of charming Italian men, Kate remained entirely uninterested in romance during her time abroad.

"Italian men can be quite persuasive, but Catherine would never overreact to compliments," they said. "She definitely was not a giggly sort of girl batting her eyelashes."

The Princess of Wales’s upcoming return to Italy will be centered around early childhood development, a cause that the princess is extremely passionate about.

She will be travelling to Reggio Emilia on May 13 and 14, to explore its approach to education, which is widely praised across the globe.

The educational philosophy is based on the image of a child with strong potentialities for development and a subject with rights.

Kensington Palace said the trip is a "significant next step" for her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she launched in 2021.