Royal fans were taken aback when Kate Middleton suddenly canceled her appearance at Royal Ascot on June 18, with many wondering about the reasons behind her absence. Former royal butler Grant Harrold suggested that Prince William would “definitely feel the void” of Kate’s absence, as he attended the event solo. However, palace insiders have quickly addressed concerns, assuring the public that there’s “no cause for alarm.”
While some sources initially suggested that Kate was “disappointed” to miss the event, noting that she was continuing her recovery from cancer with a phased return to royal duties, reports from GB News revealed that the situation was the result of an “administrative mix-up.” According to the news outlet, Ascot executives had mistakenly included both the Prince and Princess of Wales on the procession list, even though Kate had made the decision to skip the event ahead of time.
Palace insiders emphasized that Kate’s absence was not related to health concerns, and that she was following previously established guidelines to ensure a proper balance in her duties during her recovery.
Meanwhile, body language expert Judi James analyzed Prince William’s appearance at the event, noting that he appeared “sad and subdued” compared to his father, King Charles, who seemed relaxed and animated as he interacted with their guest. James pointed out that William appeared to sit back quietly with a slightly slumped posture, reflecting a more reflective mood without Kate by his side.
