King Charles Leads Royal Turnout While Prince and Princess of Wales Remain Absent
Prince William was notably absent from the second day of Royal Ascot on Thursday, June 19, as King Charles and Queen Camilla led a strong royal showing during the iconic summer event.
The King and Queen arrived at Ascot flanked by several senior royals, including Princess Anne and Prince Edward, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi also joined the carriage procession, along with Zara and Mike Tindall.
William, who had attended the event solo the day before, did not return for Thursday’s engagement. Instead, the Prince of Wales spent the day supporting environmental innovation, visiting sustainable dyeing company Colorfix alongside Earthshot Prize Council member Cate Blanchett.
His wife, Princess Catherine, had been listed on Wednesday’s Royal Ascot attendance sheet in an earlier version of the procession list but was later confirmed not to be attending. Royal officials clarified that her name was mistakenly included due to an administrative oversight and was never intended to appear on the official schedule.
Catherine, 43, is continuing her carefully paced return to public life following her cancer treatment. Though not present at Ascot, she joined Prince William at Trooping the Colour and Order of the Garter earlier in the week—two high-profile appearances that marked key moments in her gradual re-emergence.
While the Prince and Princess of Wales continue to balance royal duties with Catherine’s ongoing recovery, their recent appearances show a shared commitment to returning to public life with purpose and care.
