Carole Middleton Seen with King Charles and Prince William at Royal Ascot amid Princess Catherine's Absence

Carole Middleton was a notable presence at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, engaging with senior royals and drawing attention amid Princess Catherine's continued absence from the event.

Carole Middleton, mother of Princess Catherine, was seen sharing a light moment with King Charles III and embracing Prince William during Royal Ascot, as the Princess of Wales was absent for the second consecutive year.

Princess Catherine, who continues to recover from cancer treatment, withdrew from the prestigious racing event in Berkshire to focus on finding the right balance before resuming public engagements.

In her place, Carole Middleton attended the event and was spotted laughing and conversing with King Charles III. Later, she was seen speaking with Prince William and sharing an embrace.

Prince William, supported by his in-laws and close friends, fulfilled his royal duties that day, including presenting the trophy for the Prince of Wales' Stakes. Instead of riding alongside his wife in the second carriage as originally planned, he joined King Charles and Queen Camilla during the procession.

The prince shared his thoughts on the event via Instagram, captioning his post: "A brilliant afternoon of racing at Royal Ascot. Congratulations to William Buick, the Gosdens and the impressive Ombudsman on winning The Prince of Wales's Stakes! 🏇🏆"