King Charles is keen to attend Royal Ascot this summer to "honour the late Queen's memory"

A source told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: "Racing is an important part of the legacy that he inherited from his mother and one that he treasures. That's why he will be so keen to go."

Charles will likely host a lunch for a select "bubble" of friends and family while there, while both the traditional royal carriage ride and the glass-fronted royal box would allow him to be seen by members of the public without coming under too much further risk from contracting airborne illnesses, which he is vulnerable to due to his treatment.

A source said: "It is the perfect event for his current 'bubble-style' distancing preferences.

"There will be lots of fresh air and plenty of chances to be seen by Royal fans who will be desperate to get a glimpse. I would bet that he attends on Tuesday, the day of the King Charles III stakes."

Since his cancer diagnosis, the king has continued with state business in private, including his weekly meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his daily red boxes but has cut back on public engagements due to medical advice.

However, he is hoping to take "gentle steps" back into public life following his unexpected walkabout after the Easter service in Windsor, which marked a moment of "great hope and optimism" for the king.

Sources claimed Charles will "ramp up" more public engagements in the coming months, and is also said to be hoping to attend Trooping the Colour a few days before Royal Ascot.

The source added: "The road ahead is looking very positive."

Last year, the king attended all five days of Royal Ascot, with the King Charles III Stakes named in honour of his first racing week since taking the throne in September 2022.

The late Queen Elizabeth was a regular fixture at the race meeting, but in 2022, just months before she passed away, she missed the event, watching her horses compete on TV at Windsor Castle, with the Duke of Kent leading the royal carriage procession in her place.