Diana was the 'queen of hearts'. Decades after her, Kate is firmly now the 'queen of children's hearts'

OPINION -- Looking at pictures from the Princess of Wales' brief visit to Italy this week, it was clear just how adored this modern-day royal is no matter which country she's in.

Crouching down in stiletto heels in the cobble-stone medieval piazza to meet their eye level, Catherine broke through the language barrier as she introduced herself, in Italian, to the city's youngest residents.

Surrounded by pre-schoolers who were probably aware of their star visitor only by way of their parents, the princess' natural warmth and charm was on show.

Watch the video above.

While her late mother-in-law Diana famously wanted to be known as the "queen of people's hearts", it appears the woman who now holds the Princess of Wales title is firmly the queen of children's hearts.

"Come ti chiami? Io sono Caterina," she told the children, introducing herself with the Italian version of Catherine.

An estimated 3000 people had gathered in the Piazza Camillo Prampolini as she began her two-day visit to Reggio Emilia, in northern Italy, thrilled the British royal had chosen the city for her first foreign trip since being diagnosed with cancer.

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The princess was there on a fact-finding mission for the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, hoping to learn from the systems in place and how its carers are supporting young children.

Catherine has made early childhood the cornerstone of her work in the royal family, focusing on the first five years of a child's life in her mission to help the next generation of children.

The period from birth to five years old is one experts now agree is critical to building happy, healthy adults.

It is a cause Kate has committed herself to over the past decade and will undoubtedly be her defining legacy when the history books on her are written.

The princess has a way with children that is reminiscent of the way the late Princess of Wales was with youngsters. While comparisons between the two women can often be a stretch and patronising, here it carries weight.

Diana's affinity for, and connection, with children helped to change the way the British royals were perceived around the world. She was affectionate and hands on, willing to cuddle kids and play with them while at official engagements. As a mother, Diana broke new ground in how royal women would parent their children.

From wearing bright clothing that appealed to children to necklaces they could pick up and touch, the 'Diana way' was a breath of fresh air to how the other, more formal royals, had done things before both at home and while on the job.

Her enthusiasm on engagements where children are present is obvious and she has proven time and time again her willingness to get down to a child's level to connect, play and learn.

Across the two days in Italy, Kate visited preschools and nurseries where she observed closely how nature-based learning is embedded within the renowned Reggio Emilia approach.

One of the centres she spent time in, during the second day of her tour, places particular emphasis on outdoor learning and the environment – another passion of the princess who has spoken at length about the importance of allowing children to play in nature.

Two of the pendants worn on her necklace on Wednesday were inspired by the natural world: an acorn and an oak leaf, symbols that are also part of the Middleton coat of arms.

Kate's 'child credentials' expand beyond her role as a mother of three to Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight.

She has consistently prioritised society's youngest members in her royal work and has grand plans to reach even more children, parents, their carers and those who work with children every day.

While the Princess of Wales' Italian sojourn is now over, Kate is now expected to expand her childcare mission to other countries around the world. In 2022, she visited Denmark to learn how the Scandinavian country has pioneered efforts to give infants a better start in life.

And there is no better-placed royal to do this than Kate, the queen of children's hearts and modern-day princess putting youngsters at the core of everything she does.

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