Royal Ascot has long been a staple of British tradition, where horse racing meets royal pageantry. But this year, fans are witnessing an unexpected shift in royal appearances — and it’s fueling serious speculation about what’s really going on behind palace doors.
While the third day of Royal Ascot on Thursday brought the glamour and grandeur everyone expected, complete with a full royal procession led by King Charles and Queen Camilla, the fourth day took a very different turn. On Friday, the Royal Ascot carriage list revealed a startling change that the monarch and his wife were the only senior royals named in the official procession, riding solo with Lord and Lady Cavendish of Furness.
This marked a sharp contrast to Thursday’s scene, where nearly the entire working royal clan was out in full force. Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and royal crowd-favorites Mike and Zara Tindall all took their seats in the grand carriages on Thursday.
The King and Queen kicked off the Thursday procession in style, riding in the lead carriage with the Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury. Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie followed, joined by Princess Anne and Sir Tim in the second carriage. Princess Beatrice and Edo rode in the third carriage with Princess Zahra Aga Khan, while Mike and Zara Tindall brought up the rear in the fourth.
Not a single other senior royal accompanied King Charles and Queen Camilla. Though Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank were spotted among attendees, and even Sarah Ferguson made a rare appearance, they were not part of the ceremonial procession — a tradition that typically includes multiple family members.
Royal watchers are pointing to a few major developments that may be influencing the changes. Most notably, Princess Kate Middleton has once again skipped the event. After missing the second day of Ascot, where she was originally scheduled to ride alongside her husband Prince William, the Princess of Wales has continued to remain out of public view.
Sources close to Kensington Palace say Kate is still navigating her return to public life after undergoing cancer treatment, and is focusing on a “balanced” schedule that prioritizes her health.
Read More: Kensington Palace Break Silence As Kate Middleton’s Last Minute Exit Sparks Alarm
While Prince William was present on day two and looked dapper in the procession, his absence from the official carriage list on Thursday and Friday also raised eyebrows. For many, seeing William and Kate together at Ascot has become a cherished tradition — their absence this year only amplifies concerns about the couple’s public engagement strategy.
Adding to the mystery, Princess Anne — who was active earlier in the week — did not return on Friday either. Some believe the lighter schedule could reflect King Charles’ ongoing efforts to streamline the monarchy, or perhaps a more relaxed attitude toward the formalities of Royal Ascot in light of personal health battles within the family.
Still, the optics of Charles and Camilla riding alone on Friday didn’t go unnoticed. Social media lit up with comments asking why the rest of the royal family was missing from such a high-profile event, particularly given that Thursday had been so well-attended.
“It’s very unusual,” one royal commentator noted. “To go from a full royal turnout on Thursday to just the King and Queen on Friday is a dramatic shift.”
Some suggest it’s all part of a broader recalibration within the royal family. With Charles continuing treatment for cancer, and Kate cautiously returning to public life, appearances are being measured — and likely reassessed daily based on personal health and public expectations.
What remains clear, however, is that the Royal Family’s presence at Ascot — or lack thereof — is making headlines. As the five-day event draws to a close, fans are watching closely to see who will show up for the final day and what that might signal for the future of royal engagements.
For now, Charles and Camilla are holding the reins — but their solitary carriage ride may say more than words ever could.
