Kate Middleton Returns to Royal Ascot for the First Time in 3 Years
Kate Middleton Returns to Royal Ascot for the First Time in 3 Years
Stephanie PetitWed, June 17, 2026 at 1:28 PM UTC
0
Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive at Royal Ascot on June 17, 2026Credit: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty -
Kate Middleton returned to Royal Ascot after last attending the event three years ago
The Princess of Wales skipped the outing in 2024 amid her cancer diagnosis and also pulled out of an anticipated appearance last year
Princess Kate and Prince William rode in the Royal Procession
Kate Middleton is riding into Royal Ascot for the first time since 2023.
The Princess of Wales, 44, joined Prince William, 43, for the second day of the annual horse racing event on Wednesday, June 17. The couple arrived at Ascot Racecourse as part of the Royal Procession, the horse-drawn carriage ride that officially starts the day's events, in the same coach as the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon.
After sporting a light yellow coat dress for Garter Day on Monday, Princess Kate opted for the same color in a bolder hue for Royal Ascot, pairing her yellow dress with a matching hat. Prince William sported a top hat and morning suit for the occasion, matching his wife with a yellow flower pinned on his jacket.
As she got into the carriage, she greeted onlookers who told her she looked "lovely" by saying, "Thank you. Hopefully the sun stays out," as seen in a video shared by Kings Guard Tours on social media.
Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive at Royal Ascot on June 17, 2026Credit: Steve Bardens/Getty
King Charles and Queen Camilla once again led the Royal Procession in the first carriage, after also taking part in the ceremony at yesterday's event, accompanied by Princess Margaret's daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, and her husband, Daniel Chatto.
Also in attendance were Princess Kate's mother, Carole Middleton, and her sister-in-law, Alizee, who is married to her brother James Middleton.
Princess Kate is back at Royal Ascot for the first time in three years. She skipped the event in 2024, as she spent most of that year out of the spotlight amid her cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The royal mom of three was expected to return to Royal Ascot last year, and her title appeared in the list of the Royal Procession. However, about 20 minutes after the list was shared, it was revealed that Princess Kate would not attend the event. PEOPLE understood that an inaccurate carriage listing was mistakenly initially issued by Ascot, and the amended version showed Prince William riding with King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia.
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
The last-minute change marked Kate's first major cancellation since returning to public life and underscored a broader theme about healing.
Advertisement
"She's being sensible, listening to what her body is telling her and easing back into public life," Queen Elizabeth's former spokeswoman Ailsa Anderson told PEOPLE.
Despite announcing she was in remission in early 2025, Princess Kate has spoken out about the "difficult" phase that comes after cancer treatment.
"You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment's done, then it's like, 'I can crack on, get back to normal,' but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult," the Princess of Wales said last summer during a visit to Colchester Hospital in Essex, England.
"You're not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you're not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to," she continued. "And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable."
King Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, led the way on the first day of this year's Royal Ascot on June 16, riding in the Royal Procession with the Duke and Duchess of Wellington.
Following behind in the second carriage was Princess Anne with her son Peter Phillips and his new bride, Harriet — who had tied the knot just 10 days earlier — along with Queen Camilla's nephew Sir Ben Elliot.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Queen Camilla's niece Alice Elliot appeared in later carriages of the Royal Procession, while Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Tindall, and her husband, Mike Tindall, were also spotted at Ascot.
Despite its name, Royal Ascot isn't an official royal family event. However, the British royals have supported Ascot Racecourse since Queen Anne established it in 1711, and 200 years later, Royal Ascot officially became a Royal Week in 1911. The special week of horse races draws about 300,000 visitors over the five days.
Royal Ascot comes amid a busy month for the British royals. After Peter and Harriet's wedding on June 6 brought the family together, members reunited again on June 13 for Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration of the monarch's birthday. Just two days later, they were back again for Garter Day at Windsor Castle.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
