Ascot absence is just a blip in Princess of Wales's remarkable recovery
The official list of carriages in the Royal Procession had her name on it, along with those of the King, the Queen and the Prince of Wales, in what was expected to be her return to the summer season after her chemotherapy this time last year.
In the end, it was not to be. In the hours ahead of the procession, Kensington Palace confirmed that the Princess would be unable to attend.
It is said that while she was understandably disappointed not to attend, the Princess was mindful of treading a careful line as she returns to work.
It is a salient reminder that life, even for the royals, is not a fairytale. There is no magic wand for health.
There is no cause for alarm, we are told, backed by evidence of the Princess laughing and happy at the Garter Day ceremony at Windsor Castle just two days ago.
She has, in truth, been staging a remarkable comeback. Since the September video in which she announced that she had finished her chemotherapy, the Princess has surpassed all expectations in her steady march back to work.
From a lively anniversary trip to the Isle of Mull to placing a considered spotlight on Britain's creative sector at the V&A last week, she has looked happy, healthy and – as far as the public could see – as if she had never been away.
At Trooping the Colour on Saturday, she appeared flawless, standing beside the King in the public eye for hours and watching over her well-behaved children.
However, behind closed doors, it seems, things have not been so blissfully uncomplicated. The 'cancer journey', Catherine said in September, 'is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you'.
'Much needed time to heal'
Almost exactly a year ago, as she attempted to reconcile her deeply private health issues with her public role, she said she was experiencing 'good days and bad days'.
'Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal,' she said.
Since then, the Princess has made a valiant effort to get back into the public eye.
At a time when the public would have given her grace in recovery, she has signed up to public engagements (more than 20 this year), and high-profile Royal events at which every camera lens is focused on her face.
Her appearance, recently so healthy, has belied how difficult things were last year, and how hard the fight to return to normality has been.
The King and his daughter-in-law have walked similar paths this year in very different ways.
While the King, as a 76-year-old head of state, has largely ploughed on during cancer treatment, packing his diary with domestic engagements and international travel, the Princess – correctly – has had her mind on other things.
With three small children, a future King among them, she is focused on the long term, supporting her husband and being there in all senses for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
She is disappointed to miss Ascot. But the big picture, as she, William and their advisers know, is more important.
The watchword at the Palace is 'balance'. Her illness was serious, sources emphasise, and the long-term effects for any patient are unpredictable.
The public are kind enough, nowadays, to understand that royals are human and they cannot perform at all times.
The summer season at Ascot will survive, with royals aplenty. The presence of the Prince of Wales, who would have no qualms about shouldering criticism to skip the event to be by his wife's side if needed, as well as that of Carole Middleton, the Princess's mother, was reassuring.
The Princess is likely to be seen again very soon, at Wimbledon as well as official engagements, before the children break up for their school holidays.
'Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes,' she said in September.
This year, she has made it look easy – but it is not.
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