This appearance was Kate’s first at Royal Ascot since 2023; she missed the 2024 meeting amid cancer diagnosis and treatment and announced remission in early 2025. Since then she has been carefully resuming duties, including a recent solo two-day visit to Italy.
Prince William, 43, presented the Prince of Wales’ Stakes trophy to jockey William Buick after his win on Ombudsman. Ascot shared a video celebrating the Princess of Wales’ arrival, and royal commentators noted her comeback as an important moment for the monarchy.