The Princess of Wales pulled out of Royal Ascot today – as she continues to find the right balance after her cancer diagnosis.
Kate is said to be disappointed at not attending the sporting event in Berkshire with Prince William, and the King and Queen.
She had been named in the list of guests joining Charles and Camilla in the carriage procession.
But this was quickly amended after Kensington Palace confirmed the princess would not be attending.
William later arrived at the race course with his father and Camilla, and the trio took part in a royal procession before the racing began.
Kate has been making a gradual return to public duties since it was announced in January she was in remission from cancer.
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The King and Queen at today’s procession ahead of the day’s races. Pic: Reuters
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William attended the horse racing without his wife. Pic: Reuters
Her recent appearances have included Trooping the Colour in London on Saturday, where she rode in a carriage in the parade with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The Waleses then joined the King, Queen and other senior royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a Red Arrows flypast.
On Sunday, the royals gathered at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel for the Order of the Garter service, which Kate was forced to miss last year amid her cancer treatment.
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Royal family gather to watch flypast
The princess shared her cancer diagnosis with the public last March, having started preventative chemotherapy a month earlier. She finished her treatment in September last year.
In January, Kate said it was “a relief to now be in remission”.
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A message on social media, signed “C”, said: “As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.
“I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to.”