Princess Kate, 43, has addressed the public following her unexpected absence from Royal Ascot.

She had been scheduled to attend the prestigious event on Wednesday with Prince William, King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other members of the royal family, but withdrew at the last moment.

Focus on Children’s Hospice Week

Instead of attending the annual horse race, the Princess of Wales shared a heartfelt message in honor of Children’s Hospice Week. In her Friday statement, Kate highlighted her continuing advocacy work for families dealing with life-limiting illnesses in children.

“No parent ever anticipates being told their child has a serious illness that could shorten their life,” Kate wrote. “Unfortunately, that is the devastating reality for thousands of families across the country, leaving them frightened, grieving, and feeling terribly alone.”

She added, “Having access to one of the UK’s 54 children’s hospices ensures they don’t have to face those challenges by themselves.”

Championing Hospice Work Across the UK

As Patron of both East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in South Wales, Kate expressed admiration for the work these organizations do.

“I’ve been fortunate to witness firsthand the uplifting and compassionate care they provide — through play, laughter, comfort, and presence — they help children and their families navigate life, loss, and everything in between,” she said.

She concluded by encouraging the public to honor their contributions: “This Children’s Hospice Week, I hope you’ll join me in recognizing the life-changing work they do and thanking them for the essential support they provide to families in the hardest moments of their lives.”

A Longstanding Advocate for Children’s Hospices

Since marrying Prince William in 2011, Kate has become a prominent supporter of children’s hospice care. Over the years, she’s made numerous visits to these facilities both in the UK and abroad.

Back in January, the Princess made her first visit to Tŷ Hafan hospice in Sully, South Wales, which had ties to the late Princess Diana’s charitable efforts.

Tracy Jones, director of family well-being services at the hospice, shared her admiration for Kate’s genuine interaction with children and families. “She instantly connected with the kids, spending meaningful time with each child and their parents,” she recalled.

Jones was also struck by Kate’s attentiveness. “She’d crouch down to be on the same level as the children — whether they were in wheelchairs or playing on the floor,” she said. “We were amazed at how long she could stay crouched — not an easy position!”

“She had an intuitive sense of how to connect with each child without overwhelming them,” Jones added. “Even while speaking to parents, she maintained eye contact with the children, something we often do with nonverbal kids.”

Back in Public at Trooping the Colour

Though absent from Ascot, Kate joined Prince William and their children — Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — for the annual Trooping the Colour celebration on Saturday.

The family gathered in London to honor King Charles, 76, for the third year running. Kate wore a refined sky-blue coat dress by Catherine Walker and styled her hair in an elegant bun, topped with a floral hat.

Trooping the Colour, held every June, marks the official birthday of the British monarch and remains one of the royal family’s most significant public events.