The day’s remaining carriages included several familiar faces from royal and public life, such as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Earl and Countess of Halifax, author William Boyd and wife Susan, as well as golfer Justin Rose with his wife, Kate Phillips. Also present were Lady Sarah Chatto, daughter of Princess Margaret, and her husband Daniel Chatto, author Robert Harris and his wife, and novelist Gill Hornby.

James also suggested Kate’s absence may not have been entirely her own decision. “Often, it’s a loving partner who gently encourages someone not to push themselves too far during recovery,” she said. “It’s possible William advised her to rest.”

She added that Royal Ascot can be a long, taxing day, especially under the summer heat, and it may have been a sensible move for the Princess of Wales to sit this one out. “It’s a much more social occasion than recent events like Trooping the Colour. Even so, William’s eyes looked sad, and his expression lacked the radiant, toothy grin he wore the last time Kate joined him at Ascot.”

While Kate’s health continues to be a private matter, her absence at such a high-profile event was clearly felt—not only by the public, but perhaps most notably, by her husband.