Kate Middleton was absent from the 2025 Royal Ascot, despite initially being listed on the carriage list<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Prince William attended solo and was seen sharing a smile with the Princess of Wales’ mother, Carole Middleton<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Royal experts tell PEOPLE the princess is “easing back into public life” following her cancer treatment<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Kate Middleton<\/a> was absent from day two of the 2025 Royal Ascot on Wednesday, June 18 \u2014 but the royal family appeared in high spirits despite her unexpected withdrawal.<\/p>\n The Princess of Wales pulled out of the annual event at the last minute, even after being included on the official carriage list alongside her husband, Prince William<\/a>.<\/p>\n In her absence, William joined King Charles<\/a> and Queen Camilla<\/a> in the royal procession and carried out a special role: presenting the trophy for the Prince of Wales’ Stakes. The honor went to Ombudsman, ridden by jockey William Buick.<\/p>\n Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton<\/a>, also attended the event with her daughter-in-law, Aliz\u00e9e Th\u00e9venet<\/a>, who is married to Kate’s brother, James Middleton<\/a>. At one point, Carole was spotted sharing a warm smile and lively conversation with Prince William.<\/p>\n Carole also spent time chatting with King Charles as they watched the races together from the royal box.<\/p>\n James Manning\/PA Images via Getty <\/p>\n Prince William and Carole Middleton chat at the Royal Ascot on June 18, 2025<\/p>\n This is the second year in a row that Kate has missed Royal Ascot. Last year, William also attended solo<\/a> as Kate was undergoing chemotherapy\u00a0for an undisclosed form of cancer, which she announced<\/a> in March 2024.<\/p>\n Chris Jackson\/Getty<\/p>\n King Charles and Carole Middleton on June 18, 2025 at Royal Ascot<\/p>\n In this week’s issue of PEOPLE, royal experts and insiders share<\/a> how Kate has slowly returned to public life this year following her cancer treatment.<\/p>\n Queen Elizabeth<\/a>\u2019s former spokeswoman Ailsa Anderson shared how the future monarch is pacing herself carefully and doing what’s best for her health and the well-being of her children: Prince George<\/a>, 11,\u00a0Princess Charlotte<\/a>, 10, and\u00a0Prince Louis<\/a>, 7<\/p>\n “She\u2019s being sensible, listening to what her body is telling her and easing back into public life,\u201d Anderson said.<\/p>\n James Manning\/PA Images via Getty<\/p>\n Alizee Thevenet and Carole Middleton on day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire on June 18, 2025.<\/p>\n The careful approach is important, as major changes are on the horizon for the royal family \u2014 the most obvious being William and Kate’s inevitable transition to ruling monarchs.<\/p>\n Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter<\/a> to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! \u201cThere are some major shifts coming behind the scenes,\u201d a friend told PEOPLE \u201cThey are really finessing what works and what doesn\u2019t.”<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/df6e14a6b0a23f2fd62c9efb63ab3582.jpeg\"\/)
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