LONDON, June 19, 2025 – The unexpected absence of Catherine, Princess of Wales, from the Royal Ascot horse-racing festival on June 18, 2025, has triggered widespread concern and what sources describe as a “real sense of panic” within Kensington Palace. Kate Middleton, who announced she was cancer-free in September 2024, had been expected to join Prince William at the high-profile event, a cornerstone of the royal calendar. Her last-minute withdrawal, with no detailed explanation from the palace, has reignited public and media speculation about her health, despite her recent return to public duties.
According to The Daily Beast, palace staff were left “bewildered and worried” by the abrupt cancellation, with one former courtier noting, “One minute she was going, and the next she wasn’t. You don’t just miss Ascot on a whim.” The source described the announcement as “chaotic,” reminiscent of the uncertainty surrounding Kate’s health in early 2024, when her prolonged absence after abdominal surgery fueled conspiracy theories. A palace official told The New York Times that Kate was “disappointed” to miss the event, citing her ongoing effort to find the “right balance” in her public engagements as she recovers from cancer treatment. No further specifics were provided, and Kate’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Kate’s recent public appearances had offered reassurance. On June 15, 2024, she attended the King’s Birthday Parade, “Trooping the Colour,” marking her first official engagement since her diagnosis. She also joined the Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle on June 16, 2025, appearing composed alongside Prince William. However, a friend of the princess told The Daily Beast that Kate was “basically exhausted” after these events, suggesting fatigue may have prompted her Ascot absence. Posts on X echoed the unease, with @mercnews reporting “panic” over her health and @larazon_es noting that the cancellation “reavived alarms” about her recovery.
The palace has sought to downplay health concerns, with Kate’s team briefing media, per The Telegraph, that the withdrawal was not a cause for alarm but a cautious step in her recovery. Kate herself stated in 2024, when missing Ascot during chemotherapy, “As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” emphasizing her need to take each day as it comes. Despite these assurances, the lack of transparency has fueled rumors, with some palace insiders reportedly whispering about a possible health setback, though no evidence supports claims of hospitalization.
The public’s reaction reflects a mix of concern and frustration, rooted in Kate’s high visibility as a royal. Her absence last year sparked wild theories—ranging from cosmetic surgery to divorce—amplified by a controversial edited Mother’s Day photo in March 2024, which major agencies like Reuters and AP retracted due to manipulation. Kate later apologized, admitting to “occasionally experimenting with editing.” This history has made the public and media hyper-vigilant, with @usweekly noting the Ascot withdrawal as a significant development.
As Kate continues her recovery, her focus remains on her health and her three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Her limited schedule, including a recent meeting at Windsor Castle for her Centre for Early Childhood initiative, suggests a cautious return to duties. With the palace maintaining its stance on providing updates only for “significant developments,” the public awaits further clarity, hoping for Kate’s swift return to the spotlight.
