Princess Catherine’s unexpected absence from Royal Ascot on June 18, 2025, caused what palace insiders described as “a real sense of panic.”
The 43-year-old was scheduled to accompany Prince William to the prestigious horse racing event in Ascot, England. Her name was removed from the official program approximately an hour before the event’s start, leading to confusion among palace staff.
A former palace employee told The Daily Beast there was widespread questioning 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 stated.
Catherine’s withdrawal relates to her ongoing health journey, which began in January 2024 following scheduled stomach surgery at The London Clinic in London. During post-operative tests, doctors discovered cancer, significantly altering her life.
On March 22, 2024, Catherine revealed her cancer diagnosis in a video message. She explained, “Tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” prompting her medical team to advise preventative chemotherapy.
The announcement followed weeks of speculation regarding Catherine’s health and absence. In March 2024, major news outlets, including the Associated Press and Reuters, withdrew a Mother’s Day family photo over suspicions of digital alteration. Catherine later admitted to editing the image.
After her diagnosis, Catherine started preventative chemotherapy in late February 2024. She remained largely out of public view throughout 2024, attending only select events such as 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 showed the Wales family engaging in leisure activities. Catherine acknowledged that the past nine months had been challenging for her family.
During a January 14, 2025, visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she received treatment, Catherine announced her remission from the disease. She expressed relief and emphasized the need for a gradual recovery, noting that adjusting to a new normal takes time after cancer.
Since declaring her remission, Catherine has slowly resumed her royal responsibilities, though her schedule remains lighter. She participated in Trooping the Colour on June 14, 2025, with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. She attended the Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle two days later.
However, the consecutive events, combined with an English heatwave, led to her decision to miss Royal Ascot. Kensington Palace noted Catherine’s disappointment but emphasized her need to balance public duties with personal health.
Royal commentators suggest Catherine is setting a precedent by prioritizing health over traditional royal obligations, a shift from the norm where public duties often take precedence.
Rumors briefly circulated that Catherine required medical attention, but these were unsubstantiated. Palace insiders likened the announcement’s chaotic nature to the early days of her health crisis in 2024.
Despite Catherine’s absence, Royal Ascot proceeded with Prince William joining King Charles, Queen Camilla, and a Saudi prince in the first carriage. William later presented the trophy for the Prince of Wales’ Stakes. Catherine’s mother, Carole Middleton, and sister-in-law also attended the event.
Royal sources maintain there is no cause for concern regarding Catherine’s health. Some reports suggested that the confusion stemmed from a clerical error, where her name was mistakenly listed before being corrected.
Catherine has not disclosed the type of cancer she had, and Kensington Palace maintains privacy regarding her medical details.
Her experience highlights the heightened public attention faced during health challenges. A palace source mentioned she hasn’t had the privacy typically afforded to individuals dealing with illness. Despite these difficulties, her gradual return to duties indicates a commitment to her royal role while ensuring her recovery.
