Kensington Palace Posts Striking Solo Photo of Prince William—and a Royal Butler Has Thoughts on Kate's Absence
The Royal Ascot is one of those rare occasions each year where we get to see the full royal family (and a few royally adjacent folks) make a splashy public appearance. This year, we got King Charles, Queen Camilla (and her $2.5 million brooch), Prince William—even Kate Middleton's mom, Carole Middleton, made an appearance (and didn't have any shoe trouble this time). Missing, however, was Princess Catherine after a last minute cancelation.
Kensington Palace hasn't commented on the reason for the change, but outlets including The Times and Vanity Fair confirmed Princess Catherine's absence was a late decision. In all likelihood, her cancelation has to do with not overexerting herself in light of her health issues (and the current heat wave in Britain).
We did get a super striking portrait of her husband though. Kensington Palace released a series of images, but the first one caught my eye immediately.
The image shows a dapper Prince William standing solo and looking, IMHO, not quite as cheery as usual.
The royals captioned the 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!"
And while I can only imagine how the prince must be feeling to be at the outing without his wife, someone who has close knowledge of the royal family, King Charles's former butler, weighed in.Grant Harrold, who was the butler to King Charles from 2004-2011, spoke out on behalf of Spin Genie, saying, "William holding the fort on his own isn't unusual. He's very well versed in attending engagements solo and he very much gets on with the job at hand."
Harrold continued, "He'll be so comfortable doing these events, but obviously Kate is his partner, his right hand man, he will definitely feel the void of not having her at Ascot with him today."
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
The royal butler concluded by saying, "It's like the King and Queen, they want that physical support alongside them, they want the united partnership. They value each other as part of that partnership, just like William and Kate do too."
I'm personally glad to see Princess Catherine is prioritizing her health and well being. And here's hoping Prince William was able to enjoy himself in spite of his wife's absence.
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Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, *5-1 Fabio Fognini Alcaraz nets, 15-0, lovely deft backhand volley from Fognini, Alcaraz gets there but his Hail Mary down the line past the net post misses. Fognini rubs his eyes repeatedly, perhaps a bit of sweat in them, maybe just contemplating how quickly this set, and this match, has got away from him. He swats a forehand wide, then it's 30-30. A clean winner for 40-30 and another for the hold. Fognini looks shattered though. The end is nigh, I reckon. Getty Images ...as he walks to his mark. Can he pull off an incredible comeback in the decider? Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 5-0* Fabio Fognini Big ace for 15-0, another for 30-0. Ruthless. And another! 40-0! Alcaraz finally finds his serve. That is a joke, massive serve Fognini does well to even get a racket on, but it's net. Hold to love and suddenly Alcaraz is a game from the second round. 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Follow live reaction to the opening day at SW19 with fans unhappy as Fritz and Zverev clashes were paused after Carlos Alcaraz progressed in five sets Getty Images Day one at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships saw late controversy as Taylor Fritz's match was suspended due to the SW19 curfew, with Alexander Zverev (3) vs. Arthur Rinderknech also paused. American Fritz (5) fought back from two sets down to level vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard but play was called off, denying fans who stayed late a final-set decider, with Zverev one set all with Rinderknech. Earlier, two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz progressed in five sets against Fabio Fognini, 38, on a day when several seeds were shocked, including Rune (8), Medvedev (9), Cerúndolo (16), and Tsitsipas (24). In the women's singles, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was among those to win on a scorching first day with temperatures reaching 90F (32C). Watch: BBC (UK), ESPN (U.S.); Get involved: live@ GO FURTHER Taylor Fritz frustrated as Wimbledon comeback is interrupted by curfew Getty Images Let's check in on how the Americans are doing on court now. Taylor Fritz (5) is 4-4 with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on No. 1 Court is 4-4 with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on No. 1 Court Jenson Brooksby leads Tallon Griekspoor (31) 6-2, 6-5 6-2, 6-5 Brandon Holt is down 2-6, 4-6, 4-4 against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina And some results from earlier: Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (25) got past James Duckworth 6-2, 3-6, 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-4 got past James Duckworth 6-2, 3-6, 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-4 American Ethan Quinn defeated Brit Henry Searle 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(11), 6-2 but Mackenzie McDonald of the U.S. was beaten by Karen Khachanov, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 Brit Billy Harris beat Dusan Lajović 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 South African Lloyd Harris beat Zizou Bergs 7-6(7), 7-6(2), 6-7(5), 6-2, and Luciano Darderi beat Roman Safiullin 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-1 Cristian Garín got past Chris Rodesch 7-6(8), 6-4, 6-4 while Andrey Rublev (14) beat Laslo Djere 6-0, 7-6(5), 6-7(9), 7-6(6) beat Laslo Djere 6-0, 7-6(5), 6-7(9), 7-6(6) Finally, Jan-Lennard Struff beat Filip Misolic 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 Getty Images Some scores for you: Ashlyn Krueger (31) leads Mika Stojsavljevic 4-2 in the first set leads Mika Stojsavljevic 4-2 in the first set Paula Badosa (9) has just taken the second set against Brit Katie Boulter, 2-6, 6-3 has just taken the second set against Brit Katie Boulter, 2-6, 6-3 Naomi Osaka is a set up on Talia Gibson And the results from earlier today: Jasmine Paolini (4) has just beaten Anastasija Sevastova in a decider, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 has just beaten Anastasija Sevastova in a decider, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 Marie Bouzková got past Lulu Sun 6-4, 6-4; Kamilla Rakhimova beat Aoi Ito 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 Emma Raducanu defeated fellow brit Mimi Xu 6-3, 6-3; American Ann Li beat Viktorija Golubic 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 Renata Zarazúa thrashed Yanina Wickmayer 6-0, 6-3; Dalma Gálfi beat Brit Harriet Dart 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 Olga Danilović beat Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-4, while Aliaksandra Sasnovich beat Varvara Gracheva 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(8) The American fifth seed has just begun against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on No. 1 Court. 1-0 to the Frenchman on serve. These two were peeking through the fence and bushes outside the All England Club earlier today. Clearly on the lookout for action. Here at The Athletic is your best place for second-screen (or even main-screen) ways to follow proceedings without having to squint through shrubbery. And a reminder: you can email us at: live@ with any questions, comments, observations, or otherwise! Look forward to hearing from you. Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz has never lost a first-round match at a Grand Slam. He came as close as he has probably ever come today. Chapeau, Monsieur Fognini (yes, I know he's Italian). Getty Images Lots still due tonight, and that's on top of the matches which are currently on court! In the men's singles, third seed Alexander Zverev faces Arthur Rinderknech, while American Taylor Fritz (5) plays another Frenchman in Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. In the women's: Ashlyn Krueger (31) vs. 16-year-old Brit Mika Stojsavljevic vs. 16-year-old Brit Mika Stojsavljevic Elise Mertens (24) vs. Linda Fruhvirtova vs. Linda Fruhvirtova Zheng Qinwen (5) vs. Kateřina Siniaková Andrey Rublev (14) leads Serb Laslo Djere two sets to one, 1-1 in the fourth, with two Americans on court as well. On Court 14, Jenson Brooksby is a break up on Tallon Griekspoor (31). While on Court 9, Brandon Holt has just lost the first set 2-6 against Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Getty Images In the women's singles, American Amanda Anisimova (13) leads Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 3-0, with Naomi Osaka an early break down at 1-2 against Talia Gibson. Another American in McCartney Kessler (32) has been knocked out by Markéta Vondroušová, 6-1, 7-6(3), while Brit Katie Boulter has just started against ninth seed Paula Badosa in the next match on centre court. Ann Li of the U.S. is a set all against Viktorija Golubic, 0-0 in the third. Jasmine Paolini 2-6, 2-1 Anastasija Sevastova* There could be an upset on the way on No. 2 Court. Jasmine Paolini, last year's beaten finalist, has lost the opening set of her first round match against Anastasija Sevastova. The second set is on serve but Paolini has a lot of work to do against her veteran Latvian opponent, who has never been beyond the third round at Wimbledon but did reach the semi-final stage at Flushing Meadows back in 2018. Getty Images Emma Raducanu 6-3, 2-1* Mimi Xu On No.1 Court there's a battle of the British home hopefuls. Former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu took the first set against 17-year-old Mimi Xu and was an early break of serve up in the second — only for the teenager to immediately hit back. Raducanu, 22, is attempting to reach the second round of The Championships for the fourth time in her career. Carlos Alcaraz, speaking on Centre Court after his win, hailed his opponent's performance. 💬 He said: 'First of all, to be honest, I don't know why it's his last Wimbledon. His level is so high, he can play four more years! It was such a great match. 'He's a great player, his whole career, once again you guys saw it today. A little bit sad it's his last Wimbledon, but happy to share the court with him and we are going to enjoy it. 'Playing the first match at Centre Court is never easy, I've been practicing pretty well but Wimbledon is different. I just tried to play my best, but I can be better. I have to improve in the next round.' When discussing his next opponent, Brit Oliver Tarvet, 21, he added: 'It's not going to be personal! I saw his name when he qualified for the first time, he's playing in college right now. 'He plays great tennis on grass so I will have to be focused on that and put my best tennis into the match. Obviously let's keep enjoying being at Wimbledon.' Getty Images Fognini throws his trainers into the crowd to cheers. He gave the two-time defending champion and one of the tournament favorites a hell of a match. Really impressive from the unseeded veteran. Getty Images Very sporting from Carlos Alcaraz. He gives Fognini a long hug at the net to salute the Italian, who at 38 years old is playing in his final Wimbledon match. What a match to go out, eh? Alcaraz just stands and applauds as Centre Court rises to its collective feet to give Fognini a deserved ovation. Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 Fabio Fognini Fabio Fognini nets and Carlos Alcaraz is through! They sportingly embrace at the net. Carlos Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 5-1* Fabio Fognini Booming serve, 15-0. A filthy drop shot, Fognini doesn't even run for it. Not sure he could have made the fourth bounce, such was the spin and trajectory of that knifing slice. 30-0. Fognini then sends a ripping forehand return down the line, gorgeous stroke, and he does a slight bow for the Centre Court crowd, smiling slightly. Fognini rushes to the net, forcing Alcaraz into the cross-court forehand, netted for 30-all. Fognini return long and that's match point Alcaraz...
