Kate Middleton Makes Pasta During Final Italy Engagement as She Wraps Landmark Royal Trip

The Princess of Wales ended her Italy visit surrounded by rolling countryside, homemade pasta, and the families at the heart of her latest royal mission, embracing a hands-on tradition that carried both cultural and personal meaning.

On May 14, Princess Kate visited Agriturismo Al Vigneto, a vineyard and rural farmhouse in northern Italy, for the final engagement of her two-day trip focused on early childhood development and community support.

The outing combined one of the future queen's well-known personal interests — cooking — with the broader themes that shaped her visit, as she joined locals in preparing tortelli, a traditional pasta dish from the Emilia-Romagna region.

Kate Middleton Steps Into the Kitchen

Set against the countryside of Parma, the final stop on Kate's Italy itinerary offered a quieter and more personal conclusion to several days of public appearances and educational visits.

The Princess of Wales rolled up her sleeves and joined the Agriturismo team in making tortelli by hand, kneading dough made from flour, oil, salt, and water before rolling the pasta through a machine.

At one point, she laughed after the handle on the pasta machine accidentally fell off, asking, "Is there a technique for this?" Kate later filled the pasta with ricotta, spinach, and parmesan cheese before crimping the edges using a traditional tool. Kate also joked during the cooking session:

"When I do this at home it's without a big bowl and it goes everywhere. It's a good work-out."

Chef Ivan Lampredi, who guided the princess through the process, praised her cooking skills afterward. "You are hired," he told her during the lesson.

The chef later described the Princess of Wales as "a natural Rezdora," referring to the local term for a woman known for mastering the art of handmade pasta. "I have shown many people how to do this exactly right and she was very good at it," he said. "She learnt it very quickly."

A Visit Rooted in Family and Childhood Development

While the pasta-making moment drew attention, the visit also reflected the deeper purpose behind Kate's trip to Italy. Throughout the two-day visit, the princess met educators, families, and local leaders connected to the internationally recognized Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education.

The philosophy emphasizes nurturing relationships, creativity, and community support during children's formative years. At Agriturismo Al Vigneto, Kate spent time speaking with families about the importance of intergenerational bonds and how traditions, stories, and values are passed down through generations.

Italy holds personal meaning for Kate as well, as she studied in the country in 2000 before attending college.

Several of the people she met earlier in the trip — including representatives from nurseries and the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre — joined her for the final gathering and lunch.

Aides said the princess wanted to personally thank those involved for welcoming her and sharing the ideas that have shaped the region's approach to supporting children and families.

The group later sat together for a meal featuring local specialties including Parma ham, parmesan cheese, fried tart, and regional wines.

A Significant Return to International Royal Duties

The Italy visit carried additional significance for Kate as her first international work trip since announcing her cancer diagnosis and treatment in March 2024.

After stepping back from several royal duties during treatment, the Princess of Wales shared in January 2025 that she was in remission and has gradually resumed a fuller schedule of public engagements.

Her latest visit also marked an important milestone for her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she launched in 2021 to advance awareness surrounding children's early development. The trip built on the Shaping Us Framework introduced in 2025 as the initiative expands internationally.

Italy holds personal meaning for Kate as well, as she studied in the country in 2000 before attending college. As her visit came to a close, the princess took in the countryside views from the farmhouse and thanked her hosts for welcoming her. "It's so beautiful here," she said. "Thank you for having me. It's a wonderful view."