“BEFORE WILLIAM… THERE WAS A HEARTBREAK SHE COULDN’T FORGET”: KATE MIDDLETON’S EMOTIONAL PAST RESURFACES AHEAD OF ITALY RETURN  Long before becoming the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton was reportedly trying to heal from a painful breakup that quietly shaped one of the most emotional chapters of her young life.

Kate Middleton will soon say “ciao” to the country where she studied abroad years ago.

The Princess of Wales is set to visit Reggio Emilia, Italy, on May 13 and 14, traveling to the northern Italian city to further her work surrounding children in their earliest years. The trip marks a notable moment as her first international work trip since her cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2024. Princess Kate, 44, shared that she was in remission in January 2025.

The Princess of Wales’ fact-finding mission will serve as a kickoff point as her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood expands internationally, and it will bring her back to the country where she studied while reportedly healing a broken heart.

After graduating from Marlborough College in 2000 at age 18, Kate embarked on a busy gap year, which included a study abroad stint at the British Institute in Florence.

The future royal studied Italian and the history of art during her three-month course, according to Italy Magazine, and spent time with friends at Antico Caffè del Moro or Caffè degli Artisti, nicknamed the “Art Bar,” which reportedly keeps a biography of her on display.

There were reports at the time that Prince William, whom Kate had yet to meet, was also heading to Florence for an art course. However, The Mail on Sunday previously reported that Kate was lovelorn for Harry Blakelock, “her Marlborough first love.”

“When Kate arrived in Florence, she was really hung up about Harry. She spoke about him all the time, and he seemed to have messed her around quite a bit,” a friend told the outlet. “He seemed to have blown hot and cold with her when they were at school, and she was always talking about how she could get him back. He was also in Florence at the same time, but from what I can remember, nothing happened.”

The outlet claimed that Kate shared an apartment with four other girls while in Florence and loved the freedom of roaming the city to take pictures, a hobby she continues to explore.

A friend from her gap year in Florence also later told the Daily Mirror that Kate was always poised, even then.

“She would like a glass of wine but couldn’t really handle her drink. She’d get giggly and silly after a few glasses, so then she would stop. She was never interested in getting really drunk. She never ever let herself get out of control,” said the friend.

Kate also rowed crew with Round the World Challenge in the Solent Strait and traveled to Chile for a trip with Raleigh International during her 2000 gap year, participating in a South American expedition with the same organization as her future husband. However, their paths didn’t overlap until they met as students at the University of St. Andrews in 2001.

After eight years of dating, the couple announced their engagement in November 2010 and wed in April 2011.

William and Kate went on to welcome children Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8, and the royal mom took her longtime interest in the early childhood years to the next level when she launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in June 2021.

Tomorrow, Princess Kate will put that passion into action as she dives into Reggio Emilia’s internationally renowned approach to early childhood education, meeting educators, parents, children and local leaders to see the work firsthand.

“The Princess is very much looking forward to visiting Italy next week and seeing first-hand how the Reggio Emilia approach creates environments where nature and loving human relationships come together to support children’s development,” her spokesperson said in a statement last week.

Hours after her Italy trip was announced, the Princess of Wales visited the University of East London to highlight the latest findings from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, where Professor Amanda Broderick said that her enthusiasm shone.

“She’s clearly widely read and has really educated herself across this. It was expert critique and understanding and questioning — and clear passion,” Professor Amanda Broderick exclusively told PEOPLE of her impression of Princess Kate during the May 6 stop.

“She’s so authentic — there’s such integrity and humility in her approach, in being willing to listen and be open to new ideas. She really wants to advance her personal knowledge, but also the Royal Foundation’s impact on the positive difference it can make,” says Broderick, the university’s vice-chancellor who accompanied the royal during her tour.

SOURCE: PEOPLE