The Princess of Wales has returned to Royal Ascot for the first time since her cancer diagnosis. She joined the event alongside the Prince of Wales, King Charles, and Queen Camilla.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Prince William, Prince of Wales, were seen on day two of Royal Ascot 2026 at Ascot Racecourse. She was with Prince William riding in the traditional carriage procession alongside the King and Queen.
She made her first appearance at the famous Berkshire meet since being diagnosed with cancer in early 2024 and undergoing successful chemotherapy treatment. The Princess was a guest of Charles and Camilla in the royal box last year but pulled out at the last minute, leaving William to attend alone. At the time, it was understood she was trying to find the right balance as she made a full return to public-facing engagements following her cancer treatment.
William and Kate rode in a carriage behind Charles and Camilla along the race course – a tradition dating back 200 years to the reign of George IV, who made that first journey with the Duke of Wellington. The royal party were cheered as they travelled past the stands filled with racegoers waiting for the first race of the day.
Prince William and Princess Kate made a recent appearance with their children during the weekend’s Trooping the Colour ceremony. The couple were also part of Monday’s Garter Day celebrations at Windsor Castle. Prince George joined his siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, alongside their parents, at the celebrations for the King’s official birthday on Saturday, June 13. It came just days before it was announced he will be attending Eton College in the autumn, following in the footsteps of his father.
Charles and Camilla will have hopes of a Royal Ascot win when their horse Point of Law runs later in the Queen’s Vase. They saw their thoroughbred Reaching High well beaten on Royal Ascot’s opening day in the Ascot Stakes as thousands of racegoers cheered on their horses. The King and Queen took on the late Queen Elizabeth’s stable of horses and have become enthusiastic and passionate race horse owners. They enjoyed their first Royal Ascot win in 2023 when their thoroughbred Desert Hero won the King George V Stakes.
Kate wore a stylish vibrant yellow dress by Roksanda and a matching Jane Taylor hat with earrings which belonged to the late Queen. When the carriages reached the parade ring, where the jockeys mount their rides and winners are welcomed, William and Kate stepped down from their coach. When the King greeted them, Kate curtseyed to her father-in-law. She chatted with the Queen while William spoke to other guests and nearby were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
