Princess Catherine’s unexpected absence from Royal Ascot on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, led to what palace insiders described as “a real sense of panic.”
The 43-year-old princess was scheduled to accompany Prince William to the prestigious horse racing event in Ascot, England. Her removal from the official program occurred just over an hour before the event’s commencement, causing confusion among palace staff.
A former palace employee shared with The Daily Beast that there was widespread curiosity about the situation. “This is one of the biggest days of the year in the royal calendar; you don’t just miss Ascot on a whim, so there was a real sense of panic,” the source explained.
The last-minute decision is linked to Princess Catherine’s ongoing health concerns, which began in January 2024 when she underwent planned surgery at The London Clinic in London. Post-surgery tests revealed cancer, significantly altering her life.
On March 22, 2024, Princess Catherine publicly disclosed her cancer diagnosis through a video message. She mentioned that while her initial surgery was intended to address a non-cancerous condition, “tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” prompting her medical team to advise preventative chemotherapy.
This announcement followed weeks of speculation about her health status. Matters escalated in March 2024 when major news outlets, including the Associated Press and Reuters, withdrew a Mother’s Day family photo, suspecting digital alterations. Princess Catherine later admitted to editing the image.
Following her diagnosis, Princess Catherine began preventative chemotherapy in late February 2024. She largely remained out of public view throughout 2024, making limited appearances at events like Trooping the Colour in June and Wimbledon in July.
In September 2024, she announced the completion of her chemotherapy treatment in a family video. The footage depicted the Wales family engaged in leisure activities, with Princess Catherine discussing the challenges they faced over the prior nine months.
On January 14, 2025, she visited the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she had received treatment. During this visit, she confirmed she was in remission, expressing relief and emphasizing the importance of adjusting to a post-cancer life.
Since declaring her remission, Princess Catherine has gradually resumed her royal responsibilities, but with a lighter schedule. She attended Trooping the Colour on June 14, 2025, with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and later participated in the Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle.
However, the consecutive events, coupled with an ongoing heat wave in England, led to her decision to opt out of Royal Ascot. Kensington Palace indicated that while she was disappointed, it was essential to balance her public duties with her health needs.
Royal analysts note that Princess Catherine is prioritizing her health, a shift from traditional royal practices where public obligations often take precedence.
Despite brief rumors of illness requiring medical attention, palace insiders clarified these were unfounded. The chaotic announcement bore a resemblance to the difficult period in 2024 when her health issues first emerged.
Royal Ascot proceeded with Prince William joining King Charles, Queen Camilla, and a Saudi prince in the first carriage, and later presenting the trophy for the Prince of Wales’ Stakes. Her mother, Carole Middleton, and sister-in-law were also in attendance.
Royal sources assert there is no cause for concern regarding Princess Catherine’s health. Some reports attribute the confusion to a clerical error, with her name mistakenly included before a revised list was issued.
Details about the type of cancer remain undisclosed, with Kensington Palace maintaining privacy on medical issues.