Why KATE is STEPPING

HER CANCER MAY BE IN REMISSION, BUT THE PRINCESS OF WALES IS STILL NOT FULLY RECOVERED — AND IS STRUGGLING TO BALANCE HER HEALTH WITH ROYAL DUTIES.

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The family was cheery at June 14's Trooping the Colour. A few days later, Kate bowed out of Ascot.

THE royals were out in force at Royal Ascot in mid June, days of world-class horse racing, with spectators in top hats and whimsical fascinators sipping on Pimm’s Cup and riding in open carriages to the course in Berkshire, England, about 25 miles west of London. Kate, the Princess of Wales, of course, was not among the well-dressed crowd. Minutes after Buckingham Palace’s official carriage list was released — indicating that Kate and her husband, Prince William, would arrive in a horse-drawn landau — Kensington Palace announced the 43-year-old would not attend. After initially claiming the list was sent in error, the palace would only say that Kate was “disappointed” to miss the social event, but “has to find the right balance as she fully returns to public-facing duties.”

MISSED OUTING Kate's mother, Carole Middleton, attended the horse races, where she chatted with Queen Camilla. William arrived solo.