Kate Middleton recently made a last-minute decision to withdraw from her planned appearance at the Royal Ascot horse racing event. The Princess of Wales was supposed to attend the second day of this prestigious event in Berkshire, Southeast England, but chose to opt out as she continues her recovery from cancer via The Daily Beast.
Kate stated that she was “disappointed” to miss the event but is still trying to strike the right balance between returning to public life and managing her recovery, a Kensington Palace source told The Telegraph, a British newspaper.
Kate has already participated in three public engagements in the past week, including the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 14th that celebrates the birthday of the British sovereign. Kate showed up to the event alongside the rest of the royal family and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Kate was listed in the official program for Royal Ascot as a participant in Wednesday’s carriage procession, where she was scheduled to ride in the second carriage alongside Prince William.
Although Kate could not attend, her mother, Carole Middleton, was present at the event. King Charles and Queen Camilla led the royal procession for the second consecutive day.
Last year, Kate also missed Royal Ascot while undergoing cancer treatment, which was initiated following significant abdominal surgery. In January, she announced that she is now in remission and is focusing on her full recovery.
“I’m gutted but completely understand,” Jane Price, a Royal Ascot attendee, told The Mirror about Kate’s last-minute withdrawal.
“It’s such a hot day, and she [Kate] has been so busy recently—I think anyone would need a break. I had cancer at 31. How she’s managed at 43 with three young children is quite remarkable.”
Prince William participated in the event, riding in the second royal carriage alongside British golfer Justin Rose and his wife.
In April, William and Kate opted out of the traditional Easter Sunday church service and a larger gathering of the royal family at Windsor Castle. Instead, the couple, who are next in line for the throne, decided to spend time with their children at their home in Norfolk. This marked the second consecutive year that they skipped the Easter Matins Service, following news about Kate’s health.out Kate’s health.
