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Kate Middleton’s triumphant return to international travel in Italy underscored her growing importance to the monarchy at a pivotal moment for the royal family
Royal insiders say Prince William and Kate are carrying more responsibility than ever as King Charles continues cancer treatment and the monarchy remains slimmed down
“There is no institution without them,” one royal expert tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story of the Waleses’ increasingly central role in the monarchy’s future
Kate Middleton and Prince William are ready to step back onto the international stage
Following the Princess of Wales’ widely watched trip to Italy — her first overseas visit since announcing her cancer diagnosis in 2024 — royal observers say the tour underscored just how central Kate has become to the royal family’s future.
Over two days in Reggio Emilia, the Princess of Wales, 44, spotlighted her Centre for Early Childhood while learning more about the city’s celebrated child-centered educational philosophy.
But the crowds that packed Piazza Prampolini — where roughly 3,000 people gathered to welcome the princess — also reinforced the enormous public fascination surrounding both Kate and William, 43.
At the same time, the monarchy has grown increasingly slimmed down amid the departures of Prince Harry, 41, and Meghan Markle, 44, as well as the fallout surrounding former Prince Andrew — placing even greater attention and expectations on the Waleses.
Princess Kate and Prince William host a garden party at Buckingham Palace, London, U.K. on May 8, 2026
Credit: Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP via Getty
“Princess Anne and the other senior working royals are all stretched thin — and none of them are young,” says Catherine Mayer, author of the upcoming Divide and Rule, tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “William and Catherine carry the whole thing.”
Close observers have also pointed to the success of King Charles’ April trip to the U.S., which helped steady the monarchy following a turbulent stretch marked by scandals and the King’s ongoing cancer treatment. His widely praised address to Congress served as a reminder of the monarchy’s enduring diplomatic influence.
“Wielding that soft power was something no U.K. politician could have done,” Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary Ailsa Anderson tells PEOPLE. “It was faultless.”
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Adds Mayer, “For the moment, after that period of unprecedented turbulence, they are doing a very good job of making it look like the ship is steady. That is why Kate is so important.”
“Charles is the incumbent, but she and William are the future,” Mayer adds. “There is no institution without them.”
In Italy, Kate charmed crowds in Reggio Emilia’s central square on May 13, impressed children and teachers alike with the Italian she learned during her gap year before meeting Prince William at the University of St. Andrews and, in the words of one educator, showed how she can become “an ambassador” for early childhood development around the world.
Kate, a close family friend tells PEOPLE, “is an impeccable force for good, a fantastic standard- bearer—not just for the royal family but for the country.”
Adds Russell Myers, author of William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story: “There’s no denying that everyone concerned has been missing the princess’s star quality. She is a huge draw wherever she goes. Catherine is undoubtedly a central force in the monarchy’s popularity and ability to achieve its goals and move forward. There is no better time for her to return.”
Prince William and Princess Kate in Stirling, Scotland on Jan. 20, 2026
Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Former courtier Anderson tells PEOPLE, “She is our future Queen. As Queen Elizabeth used to say, you have to be seen to be believed. She is glamorous, she is beautiful. She is warm and approachable. On the back of the King’s successful visit to the States, William and Kate are upping their game.”
“It is a clear signal she is back in business,” she adds.
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More overseas trips tied to Kate’s early childhood work are expected to follow, and she may also join William on future visits to the U.S. and India for his Earthshot Prize. While those plans remain unconfirmed, the princess reflected emotionally on the Italy visit as she departed Reggio Emilia after an afternoon making pasta with local families.
“I have had such a deeply moving and unforgettable time here,” she said. “Thank you to the people of Reggio Emilia for welcoming me into a culture of care with such warmth and generosity.”
Read the original article on People