**Princess of Wales Withdraws From Royal Ascot Amid Ongoing Recovery**
The Princess of Wales, Catherine, made a last-minute decision to cancel her planned attendance at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, 18 June 2025. The event, a highlight of the British social calendar, was set to feature the 43-year-old royal alongside her husband, Prince William, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla in the traditional carriage procession through the Berkshire racecourse.
Royal watchers had looked forward to seeing the Princess participate in this ceremonial event, as her name had been listed in official Ascot announcements for the carriage ride. Nevertheless, Catherine’s choice to step back has been widely interpreted as a demonstration of her careful approach to resuming public duties following her recent battle with cancer.
Royal correspondent Chris Ship shared news of her withdrawal on social media, stating, “Prince William will be at Ascot today as expected, but the Princess of Wales has decided, at the last minute, not to attend. Ascot had previously named her in the second carriage. It’s understood she’s decided to find the right balance as she returns to public engagements.” This statement offers insight into the Princess’s prioritisation of her health as she increases her royal commitments.
Catherine’s absence was particularly notable given her public appearance just days earlier, at the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade in London. That engagement marked her first major outing since undergoing abdominal surgery in January 2024 and subsequently revealing her preventative chemotherapy. By early 2025, the Princess confirmed she was in remission, a relief for many across the nation concerned for her wellbeing.
Throughout her health ordeal, Catherine has continued to express gratitude to medical staff and well-wishers. In a heartfelt post on the social media accounts she shares with Prince William, the Princess thanked the Royal Marsden Hospital in West London, where she received treatment. “My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything,” she wrote, also acknowledging the exceptional care provided by the hospital.
Her message further touched on her new role as Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden, expressing her hope to support “groundbreaking research and clinical excellence” to benefit other cancer patients and their families. She described feeling relieved to be in remission and focused on recovery, but acknowledged that adapting to a ‘new normal’ after a cancer diagnosis is a process that takes time.
Public admiration for Catherine has grown during her recovery, not least because of her openness about the challenges faced by her and her family. She previously spoke about the difficulty of communicating her diagnosis to her children—Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7—emphasising the importance of reassurance and resilience. In a statement made earlier this year, she said, “It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK.”
The Princess also praised Prince William’s unwavering support, saying his presence had been a “great source of comfort and reassurance,” adding that the outpouring of kindness from the public had lifted their spirits during difficult times. Her ongoing openness about her journey has generated widespread empathy, as many find her reflections resonate with their own experiences of illness in the family.
The Princess of Wales’s decision to step back from Royal Ascot has been met with understanding from both the Royal Family and members of the public. Experts suggest this is indicative of Catherine’s commitment to balancing her health with her sense of duty, a balance many in similar circumstances can relate to. With her gradual return to royal responsibilities, supporters will no doubt be encouraged by her resolve to move forward, one step at a time, prioritising wellbeing while continuing to serve.
Whilst Prince William attended Ascot as scheduled, attention remains focused on Catherine’s continued recovery. Hopes are high that, as her health improves, further public appearances will follow—always with an emphasis on doing so at a pace that supports her ongoing convalescence.