The Princess of Wales has pulled out from a planned attendance at Royal Ascot. Catherine, who is making a gradual return to public life after her cancer diagnosis last year, was said to be disappointed to miss the sporting occasion in Berkshire, where she would have appeared in the carriage procession.

The Princess of Wales will miss the Royal Ascot following her battle with cancer. This is the second successive year she has missed the event, as she was undergoing chemotherapy last year.

Catherine, Princess of Wales dropped out of a planned engagement at Royal Ascot at short notice on Wednesday. Kate, 43, had been expected to join her husband Prince William as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla in the traditional carriage procession at the racecourse.