As the Princess of Wales pulls out of Royal Ascot, why she needs to find the right balance after cancer

Catherine, Princess of Wales had been named in the guests joining King Charles and Queen Camilla in the Royal Procession but Prince William is still attending. Catherine, Princess of Wales was last seen in public at the Order of the Garter service which she was forced to miss last year while receiving treatment for cancer.

Along with Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Catherine, Princess of Wales watched the procession of Ladies and Knights of the Garter through the grounds of Windsor Castle to St George’s Chapel. Catherine, Princess of Wales recycled a Self-Portrait outfit and for her accessories, she wore a hat by Sean Barrett, pearl cluster earrings from Susan Kaplan and a pearl necklace, also by Susan Kaplan.

Catherine, Princess of Wales also attended Trooping the Colour 2025 and joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and other senior royals at the event. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis also attended. For Trooping the Colour 2025, Catherine, Princess of Wales looked elegant in a Catherine Walker turquoise coat dress and Juliette Botterill hat.

Catherine, Princess of Wales’s Trooping the Colour outfit was also reminiscent of a turquoise and white suit the late Princess Diana wore while visiting the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo, Egypt in 1992. Princess Diana’s suit was also by Catherine Walker and she accessorised with a Philip Somerville hat.

Last September, Catherine Princess of Wales shared a video by Will Warr and statement which read: “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family.

“Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown. The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.

“This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved. Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.

“I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can. Despite all that has gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time.

“Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light so let that light shine bright. “

In November 2024, it was confirmed that Catherine, Princess of Wales, would be returning to royal duties in 2025 after missing a large part of the previous year due to receiving treatment for cancer. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Prince William said: “Family-wise, you have to wait a little bit longer because obviously they’re at school and I think that takes priority over everything else.

"But I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we'll have some more trips maybe lined up."

Although Catherine, Princess of Wales has returned to royal duties this year, in January of this year, a source told the Daily Mail that there will be a ‘slow return’ to public engagements and sources also added that it was ‘impossible not to go through' the ‘trauma’ of an illness such as the Princess's and 'not be changed as a person, and went on to say that 'It's about pace.'

The key phrases here are ‘it’s about a pace’ and how it’s impossible for the Princess ‘not to be changed as a person’ following her cancer diagnosis. Although royalists may be keen for the Princess of Wales to return to royal engagements on a full time basis, I personally believe that it is fundamental that she strikes the right balance, a balance that she may as yet not have got quite right.

In recent weeks, she appears to have resumed (whether intentional or not) a full-on royal schedule. On June 10, as patron of the Victoria & Albert museum, she attended the new V&A East Storehouse in London, which had opened to the public only two weeks before.

Catherine, Princess of Wales then attended Trooping the Colour 2025 on June 14, four days later and was present at the Garter Day at Windsor Castle on June 16. She was then expected to attend Royal Ascot 2025 today (June 18).

In March 2025, the Princess of Wales shared a poignant message on Mother’s Day and shared a video to mark the occasion. Her caption was powerful and she said: “Over the past year, nature has been our sanctuary. This Mother’s Day, let us celebrate Mother Nature and recognise how our bond with the natural world can help not only nurture our inner selves, but remind us too of the role we play within the rich tapestry of life. C.”

Before appearing at Trooping the Colour last year, Catherine, Princess of Wales, shared a photograph of herself in the gardens of Windsor, standing beneath a willow tree and looking up into the sky. The photo was taken by Matt Porteous.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, also shared a statement which read: “I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months," she said. "It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times."

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People magazine at the time "There she is in nature, which has fortified her, and looking upward in a sign of real hope and encouragement for everybody."

Although I am disappointed not to see Catherine, Princess of Wales at Royal Ascot 2025, I personally wish to see her strike the right balance between her royal engagements and taking the time to still recover physically and psychologically following her cancer battle which I very much hope is over.