Kate Middleton sparks fresh health concerns after last-minute Royal Ascot withdrawal amid cancer recovery

LONDON, UK: Kate Middleton has reignited health concerns after abruptly pulling out of a planned return to Royal Ascot at the last minute amid her ongoing cancer battle, according to RadarOnline.com.

Racegoers were eager to see the Princess of Wales after she was listed among the expected attendees for the second day of the event, but her plans reportedly changed at the last minute.

However, the palace has not released an official explanation for her absence.

On Saturday, June 14, Middleton made a striking appearance alongside the royal family at the annual Trooping the Color military parade, turning heads in coordinated aqua outfits with her daughter, Charlotte.

Kate Middleton cancels Royal Ascot appearance amid ongoing recovery

As per sources, there was a “real sense of panic” at the palace on Wednesday, June 18, after Middleton abruptly withdrew from her planned appearance at the Royal Ascot horse-racing festival.

However, sources close to the princess have downplayed concerns about a possible health setback, with some media outlets briefed that the decision was simply about the princess maintaining “balance” as she continues her recovery from cancer.

The announcement left palace staff feeling “bewildered and worried” as they scrambled to understand what was happening. The confusion intensified when the official carriage list, released at noon, included Middleton's name - only for her appearance to be abruptly canceled less than an hour later, The Daily Beast reported.

A former courtier with strong ties to current royal staff commented, “Everyone was wandering around going, ‘What is going on?’ One minute she was going, and the next she wasn’t. This is one of the biggest days of the year in the royal calendar; you don’t just miss Ascot on a whim, so there was a real sense of panic. The chaotic nature of the announcement was eerily reminiscent of the dark days of last year. People were bewildered and worried.”

The insider also shared that, for a brief period, rumors circulated within the palace suggesting the future queen had fallen ill and may have required medical attention or had even been rushed to the hospital.

While Middleton's choice to skip the iconic Ascot carriage procession might not seem significant on its own, her last-minute withdrawal -- just over an hour before she was set to appear alongside the King and Queen — is highly unusual.

The Princess of Wales had previously acknowledged that her schedule might remain flexible during her healing process, which lent some credibility to the narrative that Wednesday’s last-minute cancellation wasn’t a cause for alarm.

Middleton was originally scheduled to join Prince William in the second carriage at Royal Ascot, but following her withdrawal, he instead rode with King Charles and Queen Camilla.

While Prince of Wales appeared noticeably somber upon arrival, he seemed to relax later, as photos captured him smiling and enjoying a drink.

Kate Middleton 'adjusting to a new normal' amid recovery 

The Princess of Wales completed her “preventative chemotherapy” in September and announced she was officially in remission in January 2025, revealing she was cancer-free after finishing her treatment.

During a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London — where she underwent chemotherapy — the future queen shared an encouraging health update on social media.

At the time, she wrote on Instagram: "I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year. My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional."

She ended her message by reminding her followers that it would take time to "adjust to a new normal" following such a traumatic experience.

Kate Middleton’s brave return to royal duties after cancer battle

Just weeks after revealing she had completed chemotherapy in 2024, Middleton opened up about her plans to gradually return to public duties following the emotional and physical toll of her cancer battle.

At the time, she shared, "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. The cancer journey is complex, scary, and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you."

Prince William was said to be overjoyed by the positive update on his wife’s health, particularly as the royal family continues to face the challenges of King Charles’ own cancer diagnosis.

A spokesperson for Kensington Palace stated, "The prince is pleased to see the princess starting to engage with the work and projects that are important to her. He will continue to focus his time on supporting his wife and children while continuing to undertake his public duties."

Just months after Middleton shared her cancer diagnosis, King Charles also announced that he had been diagnosed with the disease.