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Royal Ascot 2026: A Return to Tradition
On Tuesday, June 17, 2026, the Princess of Wales made her first appearance at Royal Ascot since her cancer diagnosis in early 2024. She attended alongside her husband, Prince William, joining the traditional carriage procession that has been a fixture of the event since the reign of George IV. The royal party was cheered as it passed the stands, with the Princess of Wales and Prince William riding in a carriage that followed King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Catherine wore a custom version of the Roksanda “Brigitte” dress in a striking canary-yellow hue — a rewear of a garment she had previously worn on a royal visit to Jamaica in 2022 and at Wimbledon that same year. She accessorised with a matching yellow hat by Jane Taylor London, diamond chandelier earrings, and a three-strand pearl bracelet that had belonged to Princess Diana. She also wore diamond drop earrings that had been owned by Queen Elizabeth II.
Upon reaching the parade ring, the Princess of Wales curtseyed to the King. She was later seen chatting with Queen Camilla while Prince William spoke with other guests. The appearance followed several recent public engagements, including the Trooping the Colour ceremony and the Garter Day celebrations at Windsor Castle.
This was Catherine’s first Royal Ascot appearance since 2023, when she wore a red Alexander McQueen dress. She missed the event in both 2024 and 2025 due to her cancer treatment. In 2024, she had pulled out of attending at the last minute, leading Prince William to attend alone. At the time, it was understood that she was seeking to balance her return to public-facing engagements with her recovery.
The Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 and subsequently completed a course of chemotherapy. By January 2025, she announced that she was cancer-free. Those close to her described the road to recovery as long and said she was taking “each day as it comes,” gradually returning to public duties.
Throughout Royal Ascot 2024, King Charles and Queen Camilla had been prominent attendees, leading the royal procession on several days. The King was also undergoing cancer treatment during that period but had returned to public duties. Other members of the Royal Family present at the 2024 event included Princess Anne, Prince William, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Zara and Mike Tindall, and Lady Gabriella Kingston, among others.
Royal Ascot, founded by Queen Anne in 1711, is a significant fixture in the British social calendar, known for its fashion and horse racing. The Royal Enclosure enforces a strict dress code: for women, dresses or skirts must be of a modest length, with shoulder straps of at least a certain width, and hats or headpieces are mandatory. For men, morning dress is required — a three-piece suit in black, grey or navy, worn with a waistcoat, necktie, and top hat.
Both King Charles and Queen Camilla have a keen interest in horse racing and own several thoroughbreds. Their horse Desert Hero, bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II, won the King George V Stakes in 2023. In 2024, the royal stable had horses such as “Reaching High” and “Point of Law” running at Ascot.
