Prince William is making a solo appearance at Royal Ascot after Kate Middleton canceled her attendance at the last minute.
On June 18, the Prince of Wales, 42, stepped out to attend the second day of the special week of horse racing at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England, without his wife.
It was announced on Wednesday morning that Princess Kate, 43, would not join William at the equestrian event as expected. Kate’s name was initially included within the carriage list for the Royal Procession, with her name removed in a last-minute update shared by Ascot.
It’s understood that the Princess of Wales is disappointed not to be at Royal Ascot, but has to strike the right balance as she resumes public-facing duties.
Princess Kate stepped away from the spotlight for almost the entirety of 2024 after announcing last March that she was undergoing treatment for cancer, a diagnosis she said was detected following planned abdominal surgery that January. Kate said in September that she completed chemotherapy and announced in January that she is in remission from cancer, and has gradually returned to royal duties.
Prince William arrived in style on Wednesday and traveled in the first carriage of the Royal Procession with King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, golfer Justin Rose and his wife, Kate, and Princess Margaret’s daughter Lady Sarah Chatto traveled in following coaches of the cavalcade.
While Princess Kate wasn’t present, two members from her side of the family were. Her mom, Carole Middleton, and sister-in-law, Alizée Thevenet, the wife of Kate’s brother, James Middleton, were spotted at the event together. Both sported summer colors and Alizee wore a checked aqua dress with bag, scarf and shoes by Longchamp. Carole was bright in a butter yellow number by ME+EM with a floral Jane Corbett hat that was already in her closet — she previously wore it to Royal Ascot in 2011.
Princess Kate’s mother also attended Ascot last year, where her son-in-law William chivalrously helped her when her shoe got stuck in the grass at the track.
Prince William and Princess Kate’s friends Thomas Straubenzee, James Meade and their wives were also at Ascot on Wednesday.
Later at the race, Prince William presented the trophy to the winner of the Prince of Wales’ Stakes — a fitting honor for his royal title, the historic styling for the male heir to the British throne.
Prince William and Princess Kate had a busy weekend, attending the Trooping the Colour parade celebrating King Charles’ official birthday with their three kids, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 on Saturday, June 14. On Sunday, the family released two new portraits of William with their children to commemorate Father’s Day.
