The Prince and Princess of Wales delighted royal fans on Wednesday with a behind-the-scenes portrait from their day at Royal Ascot. Kate, 44, returned to the Berkshire racecourse for the first time since 2023, accompanied by her husband, Prince William, watching the day's action from the Royal Box.
Afterwards, they shared a candid photo of themselves standing outside in their finery, similar to personal portraits often shared ahead of state banquets. The image, posted to their official social media accounts, was captioned: "A wonderful day at Royal Ascot. W & C," with their personal initials indicating the message came directly from them.
Eagle-eyed royal fans speculated that the photo was taken on the porch of their new home, Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom property in Windsor where the family moved in October. However, William and Kate have not confirmed the location, with others suggesting it could have been outside Windsor Castle.
The couple has secured a 20-year lease on Forest Lodge, paying £307,200 in annual rent, and reportedly intend to live there even when William becomes King. The move marks a "fresh start" after a difficult period, including Kate's cancer diagnosis in 2024.
On Wednesday, Kate made a triumphant return to Royal Ascot, ending a three-year hiatus. She wore a vibrant yellow Roksanda dress and a Jane Taylor hat, joining King Charles, Queen Camilla, her mother Carole, and Sir Gareth Southgate in the Royal Box.
