Kate makes triumphant Royal Ascot return after cancer diagnosis
The Princess of Wales made a triumphant return to Royal Ascot as her husband rode in the traditional horse-drawn carriage alongside the King and Queen.
Kate appeared at the famous Berkshire gathering for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing successful chemotherapy treatment in early 2024.
Last year she was a guest of Charles and Camilla in the royal box but left William to attend alone at the last minute.
At the time, it was understood the princess was struggling to find the right balance as she fully returned to public activities following cancer treatment.
William and Kate rode in a carriage behind Charles and Camilla along the racetrack; this is Henry IV, who made the first voyage with the Duke of Wellington. It was a tradition that dates back 200 years to the reign of King George VI.
The royal party was greeted with applause as they passed the stands full of racers waiting for the first race of the day.
The prince and princess recently appeared with their children at the Connecting the Colors ceremony over the weekend, and the couple also attended Garter Day celebrations at Windsor Castle on Monday.
Prince George attended the King’s official birthday celebrations with his siblings on Saturday, and his parents announced on Monday that he will follow in his father’s footsteps and attend Eton College in the autumn.
Charles and Camilla will have hopes of winning Royal Ascot when their horse Point of Law later runs in the Queen’s Urn.
Royal Ascot’s opening day in the Ascot Stakes saw the thoroughbred Reaching High beaten well as thousands of racers cheered on their horses.
Charles and Camilla inherited the late Queen’s horse stable and became keen and passionate racehorse owners, enjoying their first Royal Ascot win in 2023; thoroughbred Desert Hero won the King George V Stakes.
Kate wore a chic, vibrant yellow dress by Roksanda and a matching Jane Taylor hat with earrings that belonged to the late Queen.
When the carriages reached the parade ground, where jockeys mounted their horses and the winners were greeted, the Welshmen dismounted and Kate curtsied to her father-in-law as the King greeted them.
She chatted with the Queen while William talked to other guests and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were nearby.
