THE Princess of Wales has pulled out of Royal Ascot as she continues her cancer recovery.

It is understood the Princess of Wales “is disappointed” not to go but “has to find the right balance” on returning to full time duty.

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The Princess pulled out of today’s event last minuteCredit: AFP

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Prince William has arrived at today’s eventCredit: Getty

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving todayCredit: Getty

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Kate’s mum Carole Middleton is attending the event on her behalfC
Kate, 43, was listed by Royal Ascot as arriving in the carriage procession with Prince William.

But minutes later the palace revealed the mother-of-three, last seen at Order of the Garter, on Monday, had dropped out.

Prince William has arrived at day two of the event.

It is understood the Princess is disappointed not to be there at the races.

But sources say she is trying to find the right balance as she fully returns to public facing engagements.

The palace insist there has always been flexibility around her engagements more than a year after her cancer announcement.

She attended Trooping the Colour and Order of the Garter in recent days plus a visit to V&A East Storehouse last week.

Kate missed last year’s event as she stepped back from her royal duties before announcing her cancer diagnosis in March 2024.’

Her diagnosis came after abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January 2024.

She finished chemotherapy in September and announced she was in remission in January of this year.

Following her successful treatment she visited Royal Marsden Hospital to express her gratitude to the staff.

It comes as King Charles returns to the races today, with the monarch’s horse Rainbows Edge smashed into 7-2 favourite for the Kensington Palace Stakes at 5.35pm.

He and Camilla looked like they’d be celebrating a Royal success on day one with Reaching High.

But the historic horse, bred by his late mum Queen Elizabeth II, suffered a ‘stinker’ in the closing stages under Ryan Moore.

Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, had been cheering from the Royal Box yesterday but were seen leaving shortly after the loss — even with two more races to go.

Other Royals were out in force on the first day of the annual event.

Sarah Ferguson, 65, was joined by daughter Princess Beatrice, 36, and hubby Edo Mapelli Mozzi, 41.

Charles and Camilla arrived in a carriage with Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud and Lady Sarah Keswick, one the Queen’s official companions, for the 200th anniversary of the Royal Procession.

Peter Phillips, 47, and his NHS nurse girlfriend Harriet Sperling, 45, arrived alongside in one of the carriages.

The King, whose only Ascot win was Desert Hero in 2023, is set to attend every day of the five-day festival after The Sun revealed he was surprised at how much he enjoyed the occasion.

He had taken over his mum Queen Elizabeth II’s stable of horses. She had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.

Earlier, Charles had written in the official racecard: “Having experienced the thrill of victory at Royal Ascot ourselves in 2023, we can only wish all those competing this week the very best of luck and that everyone watching has a most enjoyable five days.”

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Prince William meeting the jockeys before the day’s racing beginsCredit: AP

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The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have arrived before today’s race beginsCredit: PA

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The King and Queen were seen cheering from the royal box yesterdayCredit: Getty

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Carole Middleton arrived at day two of the eventCredit: Simon Jones

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Lady Sarah Keswick and Princess Anne pictured during yesterday’s racingCredit: PA

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Zara and Mike Tindall attended the Berkshire racecourse on day oneCredit: Getty