Princess Kate’s surprising absence from the second day of the Royal Ascot procession left many royal enthusiasts and racegoers puzzled. Initially slated to appear alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prince William in the opening carriage, the Princess of Wales pulled out shortly before the event, prompting a swift explanation from Kensington Palace.
The official Royal Ascot programme and social media channels had earlier announced Princess Kate’s participation, creating anticipation among attendees. However, Kensington Palace later clarified that discussions regarding her attendance were never finalized, and her inclusion on official materials was an inadvertent “communications error.”
A palace spokesperson explained, “We notified Ascot that Her Royal Highness would not be attending. Unfortunately, an inaccurate version of the carriage list was issued in error after that notification. The correct list was then circulated.” This last-minute adjustment meant Prince William took Kate’s spot, riding alongside the King, Queen, and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud.
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Kate’s absence is understood to be part of her careful approach to resuming public duties following her recent announcement that her cancer is in remission. A royal insider emphasized that flexibility remains key for the Princess’s public appearances. Over the past week alone, she completed three significant engagements, including visiting the V&A East Storeroom exhibition in London, taking part in the King’s official birthday celebrations at Trooping the Colour, and attending Garter Day in Windsor.
Royal Ascot officials expressed disappointment but also respect for the Princess’s schedule, saying, “It’s a great disappointment that the Princess of Wales was not able to attend, but everyone is mindful of her schedule, and we look forward to welcoming her next year.”