The Princess of Wales has withdrawn from a day at Royal Ascot at the last minute.
Kate was said to be disappointed not to attend the famous social and sporting occasion in Berkshire on Wednesday (local time) with her husband, Prince William, and the King and Queen.
Kate is said to be disappointed not to attend Royal Ascot with the King and Queen. Photo: AAP
Kate has made a gradual return to public duties since it was announced in January she was in remission from cancer.
Her public appearances have increased in recent weeks. In the past week, she has attended three high-profile events – Trooping the Colour, the annual Order of the Garter and a visit to a V&A storage facility in London.
But it is understood she is trying to find the right balance as she fully returns to public-facing engagements.
Racegoers had hoped to see Kate as William was named as one of the figures to award race prizes on the second day of the meeting.
Kate’s name was on the original carriage list for the royals’ attendance on Wednesday, released at midday (local time). It was quickly amended to remove her name after Kensington Palace confirmed only minutes later that she would not be there.
Prince William was bumped up to the first carriage, with his father and the Queen. They arrived with Prince Saud bin Khalid Al Saud, a member of the royal family of Saudi Arabia.
The Prince and Princess of Wales had originally been due to arrive together in the second carriage with golfer Justin Rose and his wife, Kate Phillips.
Prince William later handed out race prizes to Wednesday’s winners.
Catherine’s mother, Carole Middleton, was also at the racecourse on Wednesday despite her daughter’s absence. She arrived with her daughter-in-law Alizee Thevenet, the wife of her son James Middleton.
On the first day of the five-day carnival, the monarchs arrived at the course at the head of the traditional carriage procession in front of tens of thousands of racegoers.
The royal procession is celebrating its 200th anniversary, after beginning during the reign of George IV in 1825 when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington.
-with AAP
