Kate Middleton Unexpectedly Pulls Out of Royal Ascot

Europe|Catherine, Princess of Wales, Unexpectedly Pulls Out of Royal Ascot

Catherine, the Princess of Wales and wife of Prince William, canceled plans on Wednesday to attend the horse races at Royal Ascot, a last-minute withdrawal that raised questions about her health as she recovers from cancer.

Kensington Palace, where Catherine and William have their offices, confirmed that Catherine would skip the races, a cherished date on the social calendar of the royal family, which she had been scheduled to attend with William.

The decision appeared to be unexpected: The official program for the day’s events, published at noon on Wednesday, listed Catherine as riding in the second carriage of a royal procession, along with her husband.

Catherine has appeared more regularly in public since announcing last September that she had completed chemotherapy treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer. The palace did not say at the time whether she was medically free of cancer or undergoing any other treatment, but in January, she said she was in remission.

The princess is “disappointed” not to be present, said a palace official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing palace protocol. He added that she needed to find the “right balance” when returning to public engagements.

On Saturday, Catherine took part in Trooping the Color, an elaborate procession that marks the birthday of the monarch, King Charles III, who, like her, received a diagnosis of cancer last year. Her public appearances have become routine, though her schedule is not as busy as it was before her illness.