Catherine, Princess of Wales, was not at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, with a royal source citing her need for balance as she returns to public engagements after being treated for cancer last year.
Her husband, Prince William, heir to the throne, was part of the royal procession at the horse-racing event in southern England later on Wednesday, alongside his father, King Charles, and Queen Camilla.
The royal source said Catherine was disappointed not to be attending.
The princess has gradually been returning to her public royal role after completing a course of preventative chemotherapy last year to address the presence of an unspecified form of cancer.
Royal Ascot, a five-day series of horse races, is the centrepiece of the summer social season in Britain, with members of the Royal Family attending throughout the meeting.
Racegoers had hoped to see Catherine on Wednesday, as Prince William was scheduled to award race prizes.
200th anniversary of royal procession
On Tuesday, Charles and Camilla 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, with the tradition beginning during the reign of King George IV in 1825 when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington.
Writing in Royal Ascot’s official program, the King and Queen said: “Having experienced the thrill of victory at Royal Ascot ourselves in 2023, we can only wish all those competing this week the very best of luck and that everyone watching has a most enjoyable five days.”
The late Queen Elizabeth was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.
Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023, when Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V Stakes.
