Princess Kate’s Royal Ascot absence sparks concerns over ongoing challenges, source claims

The Princess of Whales has withdrawn from attending Royal Ascot as planned.

Catherine is gradually returning to public life after her cancer diagnosis last year as per Royal sources she’s trying to find right balance as she resumes public duties.

The princess was said to be disappointed to miss the popular event in Berkshire, where she would have taken part in the royal carriage procession.

She had been expected to attend on Wednesday with Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla but Kensington Palace confirmed she would not be going.

The King, Queen and Prince William arrived in the first carriage, accompanied by Prince Saud bin Khalid Al Saud from the Saudi royal family.

Catherine and Prince William were due to arrive in the second carriage with golfer Justin Rose and his wife, Kate Phillips and later Prince William handed out prizes to race winners.

Catherine’s mother, Carole Middleton, attended the event, arriving with her daughter-in-law Alizee Thevenet, who is married to James Middleton, Catherine’s brother as prince Edward and Princess Anne were also among the royals present.

Catherine was last seen in public on Monday at the Order of the Garter service in Windsor, smiling and chatting with other royals.

Recently she has been seen more often including at Trooping the colour on Saturday and at the V&A East Storehouse Museum on June 10.

However, in January Catherine revealed she was in remission after returning to the hospital where she received treatment.

She had announced her diagnosis in March and later shared in September that she had finished chemotherapy. She said, “Doing what I can to say cancer free is now my focus.”

Catherine also missed Royal Ascot last year. At the time she said she had been “blow away” by the messages of support she received and had been “making good progress” but was not out of the woods yet.”

Additionally, Royal Ascot is a major summer event, held over five days at the Berkshire racecourse attracting over 250,000 people as the royal carriage procession opens each day and has been a tradition since 1825, starting with King George IV.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have continued Queen Elizabeth II’s strong connection to the races as the late Queen owned and bred racehorses with over 20 Royal Ascot winners during her reign.

The royal couple hoped for a win on Wednesday with their horses, Rainbows Edge, in the Kensington Palace Stakes. 

Although it was the favourite, it finished seventh behind the winner, Miss Information.