The has made a last-minute decision to pull out of today after being expected to attend. Kate is not attending the second day of the race meeting as she continues to find the right balance following her cancer treatment

The princess is said to be disappointed at not attending the famous social and sporting occasion in Berkshire with her husband and the King and Queen. Racegoers had been hoping to see Kate as is named as one of the figures awarding race prizes during the second day of the meet. Her name had also been included in the official programme as taking part in today's carriage procession in the second carriage alongside William

But soon after Kensington Palace confirmed she would not be there. It is understood she is trying to find the right balance as she fully returns to public-facing engagements.

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A royal source reiterated that Kensington Palace has consistently stressed the need for 'flexibility' around the ' public engagements.

The source added that the princess completed three engagements in the last week, attending the new V&A East Storeroom exhibition space in London, the King's official birthday celebrations at Trooping the Colour on Saturday and Garter Day on Monday in Windsor.

William is still attending and is down to present the trophy to the winner of the Prince of Wales stakes later this afternoon. Kate's mum Carole Middleton has also been spotted attending the festival today alongside Alizee Thevenet, who is married to the princess's brother James Middleton.

Kate missed Royal Ascot last year after she was diagnosed with cancer in February resulting in six months preventative chemotheraphy. She announced in January she was now in remission and focussed on healing, while the King is still undergoing weekly treatment for the disease.

The princess was last seen out in public on Monday when she attened the annual Order of Garter ceremony in Windsor, where she was seen chatting with Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and watched other royals, including William take part in the procession in his Garter robes and plumed hat.

Just days before, she had also attended Trooping the Colour alongside the rest of the , including her three children , Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Kate, who last appeared at Royal Ascot in 2023, has been gradually returning to royal duties following her cancer diagnosis last year and subsequent treatment but has slowly increasing her workload of late.

Royal Ascot kicked off yesterday when the King and Queen hosted guests in the royal box on the first day of the festivalincluding the King’s nephew Peter Phillips and his partner, nurse Harriet Sperling. She made an appearance for the first time in the carriage procession the royal family make onto the famous Berkshire racecourse to signal the start of the day.

The royal procession is celebrating its 200th anniversary, a tradition begun during the reign of George IV in 1825 when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington. The King and Queen rode in the first carriage with Prince Faisal, a member of the Saudi royal family, and Lady Sarah Keswick, one of the Queen’s official companions.

Behind them travelled the Princess Royal with Camilla’s sister Annabel Elliot and the Duke and Duchess of Wellington and they were followed by a coach carrying Anne’s son Peter Phillips and his girlfriend. Other royals spotted among the crowds included Princess Beatrice and her mother Sarah, Duchess of York and Zara and .