Prince William Talks With Kate Middleton’s Parents, Carole And Michael, At Royal Ascot
With wife Kate Middleton outside the spotlight while continuing her cancer treatment, the Prince of Wales, 41, was joined by her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, for the second day of Royal Ascot on Wednesday, June 19.
William was photographed chatting with his mother and father-in-law in the Parade Ring at the horse racing event, and at one point held onto Carole’s hand. The Middletons were first greeted by Zara and Mike Tindall, before their son-in-law William joined the pre-race catch up.
Zara, 43, placed a supportive hand on William’s shoulder as he chatted to Carole, 69, who also later caught up with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Both Carole and Michael, 74, were spotted deep in conversation with Beatrice, 35, and Eugenie, 34, who was joined at the event by her husband Jack Brooksbank,
The event marked Carole and Michael’s first public appearance since their daughter the Princess of Wales, 42, shared her cancer diagnosis on March 22.
Kate made her first public appearance since her diagnosis just days earlier when she attended Trooping the Colour on Saturday, June 15.
READ: Kate Middleton And King Charles Share Heartwarming Moment At Trooping The Colour
Also leading the royal family at the annual event was Queen Camilla. Camilla, 76, visited the first day of the horse race meeting on Tuesday, June 18, with her husband King Charles — who is also being treated for cancer.
As is the tradition, William arrived at the course, a short drive from Windsor Castle, in a carriage with Camilla, while Eugenie was in one with Brooksbank, 38. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were the other royal couple invited to join the carriage procession.
Also joining the royals at the race meeting was musicals composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, who was made a member of the Order of the Garter on Monday, June 17, and his wife. They had been hosted by the family for lunch at Windsor Castle earlier.
It was the second time in two months that William was joined by his cousins at a royal event. On May 21, Eugenie, Beatrice, Zara and her brother Peter Phillips, along with her husband Mike, 45, repped the family at a Buckingham Palace garden party.
Earlier this month, William and Eugenie were also together at the society wedding of the Duke of Westminster.
On the first day of the horse race event on June 18, the family showed their love and support for Lady Gabriella Kingston, whose husband, Thomas Kingston, died by suicide in February.
Lady Gabriella rode in the second coach with the King’s sister Princess Anne, her son Peter, 46, and royal racing manager John Warren. When she arrived at the course Anne’s daughter Zara greeted her with a welcoming hug.
Following on from Trooping the Colour on June 15, and Garter Day on June 17, Royal Ascot takes place in a week full of pomp and ceremony. Later on June 19, William was scheduled to hand out the prize for the Prince of Wales Stakes.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, June 20, William heads to Germany to watch the men’s England soccer team take on Denmark in the 2024 Euros and, on Friday, June 21, he has more to celebrate — when he turns 42.