King Charles and Queen Camilla visit King's Trust stand at Royal Ascot
King's Trust showcases young workers at racing event as funding streams collapse
King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the King's Trust exhibition stand on Thursday during the second day of the Royal Ascot horse racing event. The royal couple stopped by the installation to mark a major historical milestone for the organisation. More than 20 young individuals supported by the charity are actively working across the racing event in sectors ranging from broadcasting and live performances to security, catering, and enterprise businesses.
The visit coincided with an announcement compiled by Reuters news agency, which reported that British charities will lose out on almost half a million pounds in donations from Royal Ascot this year. The sharp decline comes after commercial bookmakers ended their long-term support for a major charity race initiative.
The gaming sector withdrew its funding as businesses adjust to newly introduced higher taxes and stricter regulatory oversight. "Today, we were honoured to welcome Their Majesties The King and Queen to our stand, where we’re celebrating 50 years of unlocking potential," the organisation shared in a social media post.
Cancellation of the Britannia Stakes initiative
Since 2021, prominent gambling companies including Betfair and Ladbrokes have systematically donated all profits from Thursday's Britannia Stakes race to various charitable causes. This specific fundraising initiative has raised over £3.6 million ($4.8 million) since its inception for organisations like Prostate Cancer UK and Missing People. During the previous year, the single Britannia Stakes race alone raised approximately £450,000 for its designated charity partners.
The scaling back of corporate support occurs as the monarch manages his personal health following a serious medical diagnosis. King Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, said in December 2025 that his doctors can reduce his treatment in 2026. The sovereign described the medical milestone as a "blessing" and a testament to remarkable medical advances.
Royal health updates and background
Medical tests originally detected the cancer after the monarch underwent a routine corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate. Representatives at Buckingham Palace stated that they would not provide regular public updates regarding his ongoing treatment schedule. The royal household also chose not to give any further specific details about the type of cancer diagnosed.
