Princess of Wales' Schedule Change Attracts Notice

A scheduling change for one of the British royals might not generally attract quick coverage in the US, but the Princess of Wales serves as an exception. Kate Middleton had been scheduled to ride in the first carriage with King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prince William at the Royal Ascot on Wednesday but pulled out right before her planned appearance. The New York Times framed it as a "last-minute withdrawal that raised questions about the state of her recovery from cancer." More:

• A palace insider tells the Times the princess is working to find the "right balance" as she returns to making public appearances. The BBC reports her engagements have ticked up lately; she was at Trooping the Colour on Saturday and visited a museum last Tuesday.
• As for the event she is missing, the BBC calls it "one of the highlights of the summer social calendar." It runs over five days at the Berkshire racecourse, and the Royal Family's carriage procession is occurring for the 200th year; George IV began the tradition in 1825.

(More Kate Middleton stories.)