Kate will travel to Reggio Emilia in northern Italy to learn about its child-centred approach to early education, which has become a focal point for educators around the world.
The trip beginning on Wednesday is part of what her office called an international "fact-finding mission" to explore different approaches to supporting young children and their carers.
The choice of destination for Kate's first trip abroad since her 2024 cancer diagnosis is no coincidence as early-years development is the signature cause of the mother of three who will one day be queen.
"She wants to make a point that she is going to keep making this her cause," said Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine.
Kensington Palace said the visit would highlight the idea that the environment and human relationships that surrounded children were crucial to laying the foundations for a resilient and healthy future.
The visit is part of her work with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she founded in 2021 to increase public understanding of the importance of supporting children in the first five years of life.
One of Britain's most popular royals, the Princess of Wales has proved to be adept at focusing attention on matters she cares about.
When Kate announced that she had completed chemotherapy treatment in a soft-focus, Insta-ready video, she ventured into realms not previously inhabited by the royal family, whose members traditionally shied away from talking about their health.
And she did it in a new way, using social media to share the fact that for all her wealth and privilege, her life had been upended by cancer, like so many others.
Then, later, when she announced she was in remission, she spent the day supporting other cancer patients at the hospital where she received treatment.
In a statement on social media, Kate, 44, offered her thanks to everyone who helped her and her husband, Prince William, as they navigated the ups and downs of treatment and recovery.
