Kate quietly holds A-list meeting after abruptly pulling out of Royal Ascot

The Princess of Wales has quietly hosted a very high-profile catch-up, catch up after sparking concerns by pulling out of Ascot last week.

IN LONDON

Kate has made a quiet return to work with a very A-list meeting after cancelling her appearance at Royal Ascot.

Royal-watchers were left disappointed earlier this week after it emerged that she’d had to cancel her scheduled appearance in the royal carriage procession alongside the King, Queen and Prince William at the iconic raceground, after also missing it last year due to her cancer treatment.

Just days later, it’s now emerged that Kate, 43, has privately resumed work duties, meeting with philanthropist Melinda Gates, the ex-wife of Microsoft founder and billionaire, Bill Gates, at Windsor Castle.

Kate – alongside her husband – met with the Microsoft founder’s ex. Picture: Aaron Chown/Pool/AFP

Gates is a well-known philanthropist. Picture: Ludovic Marin/AFP

According to the Court Circular, which records royal engagements, she was joined by William for the June 25 meeting.

The exact details of their discussion have not been disclosed, but according to Hello magazine, the Prince and Princess of Wales “represented their Royal Foundation at the meeting, which focuses on areas including the early years and mental health”.

Despite being on a positive trajectory since announcing her gradual return to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy, there were concerns on Wednesday when Kate pulled out of the racing event at the last minute.

She had already been listed to travel in the second carriage of the royal procession, alongside her husband.

She appeared alongside her children in the carriage procession for Trooping the Colour recently. Picture: AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali

However, a short time later it was confirmed by Kensington Palace that Kate would not be attending, with local media reporting she was “disappointed” but was having to “find the right balance as she fully returns to public facing engagements”.

Despite pulling out of Ascot, Kate still had plenty of high-profile appearances last week, including Trooping the Colour and the Order of the Garter ceremony.

The princess at last week’s Order of the Garter ceremony. Picture: Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images

She’s not expected to be seen publicly over the next few days, but is likely to turn up at Wimbledon, which kicks off on Monday.

It’s also understood she’ll take part in events associated with the French President and First Lady’s state visit to the UK early next month.

Back in January, she revealed she was in remission from cancer, which she had first publicly disclosed last March.

Last September, she released an emotional video message, featuring personal footage of herself with William and their three children, opening up about the challenges they’d all been privately battling – but also proudly announced she had completed her treatment.

Originally published as Kate quietly holds A-list meeting after abruptly pulling out of Royal Ascot