There might be tensions between the king and his daughter-in-law. Kate Middleton’s mysterious absence during the Royal Ascot caused panic at Buckingham Palace and might have been a gesture of disrespect with the Monarch.

The last-minute nature of the Princess of Wales’ cancellation made Charles look weak and disrespected, but, suffering from cancer himself, he gets it, sources say.

Kate, Princess of Wales has pulled out of attending day two of Royal Ascot, just hours before she was due to join her father-in-law King Charles for the carriage procession