EXCLUSIVE: Prince William attended day two of Royal Ascot without Princess Kate, as an expert believes the Prince of Wales looked “rather reflective” without his wife.

Prince William looked “sad and subdued” without his wife, Princess Kate, by his side during day two of Royal Ascot this afternoon, as a leading body langauge expert analysed his appearance at the prestigious racing event in Berkshire.

Confusion was sparked earlier on Wednesday when Royal Ascot released the names of those who would be riding in the four carriages which make up the Royal Procession. The Princess of Wales was on the list of those attending, but Kensington Palace soon issued a statement to confirm that this was not the case.

It was understood that the palace had told Ascot ahead of time that the Princess would not be attending, however, the error still occurred.

Judi James exclusively told Express.co.uk: “While his father, the King, chatted happily to their guest in the carriage, using some animated, good-humoured body language displays, William seemed to sit back quietly with a slightly slumped posture, looking subdued and rather reflective without Kate at his side.

The updated carriage list showed that King Charles and Queen Camilla would be riding in the first carriage with the Prince of Wales and Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud.

The second carriage carried the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, as well as the Earl and Countess of Halifax. Third was the author William Boyd and his wife, Susan. They rode in the third carriage with golfer Justin Rose and his wife, Kate Phillips.

Finally, Princess Margaret’s daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband, Daniel Chatto, rode in the fourth carriage, along with author Robert Harris and his wife and fellow author, Gill Hornby.

Judi also explained William might have encouraged Kate to not “over do it” and attend Ascot after her appearance at Trooping the Colour. She said: “It can often be the loving partner who urges someone to avoid ‘overdoing it’ after an illness, meaning Kate’s absence from Ascot could even have been down to some gentle pressure from William.”

The expert further explained the pressures of the day: “It’s a very long day in the heat and a more social event than the Trooping of the Colour or other visits Kate has made recently and it might have been a very sensible idea to skip it, but it still left William with a rather sad eye expression and without the kind of wide, beaming, toothy grin he sported last time she was by his side at the event.

The royal procession at Ascot is marking its 200th anniversary this year, having begun in 1825 during George IV’s reign when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington.

Yesterday, the King and Queen attended the opening day of the races. They welcomed guests to the royal box including Charles’s nephew Peter Phillips and his partner Harriet Sperling, an NHS nurse.

The five-day meet continues to be one of the most significant events in the royal calendar.