Princess Catherine captured hearts worldwide today after a sweet interaction with a toddler during the first day of her two-day working trip in Italy. The Princess of Wales travelled to Reggio Emilia to begin her first royal tour overseas in more than three-and-a-half years to learn more about the Reggio Emilia approach, a special educational philosophy.

The future Queen received a rapturous royal welcome, with thousands of people whooping and cheering as she arrived in the city centre. They waved union flags, posters reading ‘Ciao Kate’, flowers and one group even brought a lifesize cardboard cutout of the princess.

Others peered out of the windows from the buildings encircling Piazza Camillo Prampolini, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of their royal visitor.

After stepping out of her vehicle to loud cheers, Catherine greeted the mayor of Reggio Emilia, Marco Massari, in the square before bending down to greet a group of local pre-school children.

She told them in their native tongue, having picked up the language during her gap year in Florence in 2000: “I speak a bit of Italian. What is your name? I am Catarina.”

She then greeted members of the public, including a baby, who looked happy to meet the future Queen.

Catherine was seen halting for a few seconds to speak to the toddler and the adult holding it before moving on to greet the rest of the well-wishers.

The moment has gone viral on social media, with royal fans praising the princess.

One user wrote on X: “She's a mother [heart emoji]”

Another one added: “That mom has done her research and came prepared. Catherine will always find the babies in the crowd.”

A third one commented: “Baby is barely 1 month old…toooo cuuuuteeee.”

A fourth one chimed: “What a lovely moment.”

A fifth one commented: “He is so cute and she’s a natural with children. The whole exchange with the baby is beautiful.”

A sixth one then said: “I love this!”

The princess later headed inside the town hall, where she was presented with the ‘Primo Tricolore’, the city’s highest honour, in recognition of her early years' work.

In the main chamber of the town hall, the mayor led a short ceremony in which he read out her credentials in the early years sector.

After hearing the translated version, the Princess put her hand on her heart and said: "Wow, what an honour. I'm very grateful, it's very gratefully accepted."

She then spent half an hour sitting down with local "nonnas" - Carla Nironi, Iona Bartoli, and Afterwards, the princess told the mayor "I'm really grateful for the warm welcome," before signing the visitors’ book and heading back out to the blazing sunshine to greet the public.