Prince William attended day 2 of Royal Ascot solo on June 18, 2025. His wife Kate Middleton pulled out of attending at the last minute. The Prince of Wales rode in the first carriage alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla.
🐎 Today is the start of Royal Ascot, five days of horse racing with royal links dating back to the 1700’s. @Ascot established its Royal connections back in 1711, when Queen Anne first saw its potential as an ideal place for “horses to gallop at full stretch.”
🏆 What is now… pic.twitter.com/dWQdd3u8zO
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 17, 2025
He also mingled with his mother-in-law, Carole Middleton. She wore a butter yellow look that she previously wore to the same event in 2011.
Presuming there is no miscommunication, like yesterday, this is the Royal procession passenger list for Ascot today.
The king and queen attend for the third consecutive day, along with Princess Anne and her crew plus the Yorks 👇 @Ascot 🐎 pic.twitter.com/E536ACcgx4— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) June 19, 2025
Those in the know tell that the Princess of Wales is “easing back into public life.” This follows her 2024 cancer diagnosis and 2025 announcement that she is in remission.
Kate had already undertaken two major events in the past week alone. These were June 14’s Trooping the Colour and the Garter Day Service on June 16. During the day at the races, William presented the trophy for the Prince of Wales’ Stakes.
NEW: Prince William will be at @Ascot today as expected but the Princess of Wales has decided, at the last minute, not to attend today.
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…— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) June 18, 2025
Prince William attends Royal Ascot
It went to Ombudsman, a horse ridden by jockey William Buick. Carole, in addition to chatting with her son-in-law, also mingled with the King.
NEW – The Princess of Wales will now not attend Royal Ascot today with the Prince of Wales as expected. Royal sources say the princess is “disappointed” not to attend but has to find the right balance as she continues her recovery from cancer and a phased return to full duties
— Roya Nikkhah (@RoyaNikkhah) June 18, 2025
They took in the races together from the royal box. Kate was also absent from Royal Ascot in 2024, as she was receiving cancer treatment at that time. Reports suggest Kate is “being sensible, listening to what her body is telling her, and easing back into public life.” Kate was “disappointed” she couldn’t make Ascot today.
Carole wore a yellow floral dress from ME + EM and a matching hat by Jane Corbett. Alizée Thevenet, who is married to Kate’s younger brother, donned a mint gingham outfit by Longchamp for her debut appearance at the event. In 2024, Carole shared a memorable moment when William helped her after her heel got stuck in the grass at the racetrack.
Prince William celebrated the occasion with grace and humor, making the most of the iconic British horse race despite his wife’s absence.
