Prince Charles and Camilla led the royal family today at Royal Ascot – while the Queen missed the event amid her ongoing mobility issues.
Her Majesty was a regular at the Berkshire racecourse before the pandemic and has been at every Royal Meeting since acceding to the throne in 1952, apart from when it was held behind closed doors in 2020.
However the 96-year-old monarch will likely be watching from home just seven miles away at Windsor Castle this afternoon, especially when her horse King’s Lynn started racing in the King’s Stand Stakes at 3.40pm.
Instead, the Prince of Wales, 73, and Duchess of Cornwall, 74, were in attendance alongside a host of other royals – including Princess Anne, 71, and her two children Peter Philips, 44, and Zara Tindall, 41, Countess Sophie Wessex, 57, and Princess Beatrice, 33, who was joined by her husband Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi, 38.
Just over a week after the Platinum Jubilee celebrations ended, members of the royal family appeared in high spirits, with many taking part in the carriage procession, before greeting one-another in the warm summer sunshine at the racecourse.
Zara could be seen affectionately greeting her uncle Charles, as well as Princess Michael of Kent, while Princess Beatrice was also beaming with joy at the event.
Meanwhile the Duchess of Cambridge’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton also made a surprise appearance at the event today.
The Queen, who is a passionate horse breeder and has owned 22 winners of races at Royal Ascot, was among racegoers attending last year after it was selected to take part in the Government’s events research programme on behalf of the sport of racing.
She did not attend the first day of last year’s races but was later present at day five with her racing manager John Warren and inspected her four horses in the Parade Ring after they crossed the finish line.
Prince Charles, 73, and Camilla, 74, led the royal family today at Royal Ascot as they came out in force for the first day of the races – while the Queen, 96 missed the event amid her ongoing mobility issues
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were in attendance alongside Princess Beatrice (left with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi) and Zara Tindall (right)
Meanwhile Sophie Wessex was elegant in an over-the-top raspberry hat today as she joined other members of the royal family at the event
Very happy to see you! Prince Charles and Zara exchanged an affectionate greeting as they spoke with one another at the racecourse today
Meanwhile the Queen’s only daughter Princess Anne was also in attendance at the event, opting for a cream coat dress with a brown fascinator
Princess Beatrice looked in full bloom as she stepped out for the first day of Royal Ascot in a head-to-toe floral ensemble.
Sporting a £656 belted cream Zimmermann midi dress with pink flowers, the royal, 33, posed with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 38, with whom she shares daughter Sienna.
She paired the look with neutral heels and a £370 Juliette Botterill Millinery London floral straw headband for the yearly horse-racing event.
Princess Beatrice kept her makeup minimal, with a sweep of pale pink lipstick and light eyeshadow.
The Prince of Wales and Camilla were in cheerful spirits as they handed out the trophy following their day at the races earlier
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall shared a laugh with William Buick’s trainer Charlie Appleby during the event
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall watched on as the St James’s Palace Stakes trophy was placed on the podium
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall went on to present the trophy for the St James’s Palace Stakes to William Buick
She opted to wear her auburn locks loose and held a light brown clutch bag.
Adding a fun touch to her outfit, her bag was monogrammed with the initials B.Y. – a nod to her royal title ‘Princess Beatrice of York.’ The royal completed her look with some simple jewellery, including a small gold bracelet.
Meanwhile, her husband opted for the customary traditional morning dress, complete with a black top hat, light waistcoat and tails, and co-ordinated with Beatrice’s outfit by wearing a soft pink tie.
Beatrice was perfectly coordinated with her aunt, the Countess of Wessex, who is married to the Queen’s son Prince Edward, at the event.
Scoring a winner! The Duchess of Cambridge’s mother was seen jumping for joy during the races at Ascot
The mother-of-three appeared ecstatic as she joined her husband Michael and friends at the event earlier today (pictured left and right)
Mother-of-three Zara appeared to be having a whale of a time as she watched the races begin alongside a group of girl friends
The Princess Royal’s daughter was joined by a group of friends, as well as her husband Mike, at the event earlier this afternoon
The Prince of Wales could be seen peering out at the racecourse through a pair of binoculars as the races began earlier this afternoon
The Duchess of Cornwall and The Prince of Wales watch the King’s Stand Stakes through binoculars in the stands during day one of Royal Ascot
The best view in the racecourse! The royal couple could be seen peering through their binoculars as they watched the King’s Stand Stakes
Sophie opted for an eye catching over-the-top raspberry red Jane Taylor hat which she paired with a custom Suzannah dress.
She swept her blonde locks into an updo, revealing the intricate necklace of the baby pink gown as she stood in the box to watch the races.
Meanwhile the Queen’s only daughter Princess Anne was also in attendance at the event, opting for a cream coat dress with a brown fascinator.
Her daughter Zara, who is an Olympian equestrian and shares the Queen’s love of horses, donned a colourful purple and blue gown for the occasion.
An excited Zara looked delighted to be back attending the races alongside her family today, with the royal beaming with glee as she arrived
Meanwhile Zara also greeted Princess Michael of Kent with a kiss on the cheek as they arrived at the racecourse earlier today
The Queen’s granddaughter Zara put an affectionate arm around her uncle Prince Charles earlier this afternoon as the pair chatted at the racecourse
A royal right royal chat! Princess Anne’s daughter could be seen speaking with Prince Charles as the two basked in the sunshine at the racecourse
A warm greeting for Zara! Prince Charles appeared in good spirits as he chatted with his niece at the races today (left) with the two exchanging an affectionate kiss on the cheek as they met (right)
Princess Beatrice’s husband Edoardo removed his hat and tipped it towards the Prince of Wales as they greeted one another at Ascot
The 38-year-old businessman could be seen chatting to Prince Charles as they arrived at the racecourse this afternoon for the first day of the races
Meanwhile Princess Beatrice also offered Prince Charles a kiss on the cheek, while her husband Edoardo tipped his hat to the royal
Zara greeted her mother Princess Anne and her brother Peter Philips with similar affectionate greetings, hugging them both close as she gave them a kiss on the cheek
Meanwhile Camilla and Charles could be seen chatting with fellow racegoers as they joined other members of the royal family in the parade ring
Among those who chatted with the Duchess of Cornwall was her sister-in-law, the Princess Royal
The Queen’s granddaughter, 41, donned a colourful £675 Anna Mason tie-dye belted Dahlia dress for the occasion, with a pillbox pom-pom hat by Sarah Cant and nude Emmy pumps finishing her look.
Former England rugby star, Mike, 43, looked suitably dapper in a top hat and tails, as the smiling couple arrived for the prestigious racing event.
The Tindalls looked happy to be back in the company of their fellow royals as they gathered at the British summertime staple event.
Meanwhile the Duchess of Cambridge’s parents Carole and Michael also appeared in good spirits at the event today.
Carole appeared to have borrowed Kate’s ME+EM gown for the occasion, with the mother-of-three donning the same dress the Duchess wore to meet Mila Sneddon at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh last year.
The Queen’s grandson Peter Philips (pictured, centre) was also in attendance at the event alongside Lady Alexandra Hooper and her mother The Countess Mountbatten of Burma
Sophie and Charles shared a kiss on the cheek as they arrived in the royal box to watch the event kick off earlier this afternoon
Prince Charles could be seen gesturing across the racecourse as he chatted to Sophie earlier in the royal box
Prince Charles and Sophie put on a very friendly display as they stood together at the Royal Ascot and chatted ahead of the races today
The Duchess of Cornwall appeared enthralled by the races ahead of the start, and could be seen reading through the programme with Prince Charles
Meanwhile Camilla gestured across the racecourse as she stood alongside Prince Charles and her sister-in-law Sophie Wessex
Sophie Wessex opted for an eye catching over-the-top raspberry red Jane Taylor hat which she paired with a custom Suzannah dress
The Countess of Wessex (centre) watches from the stands during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse
The Royal Enclosure is strictly invitation only and was established in 1807, and was originally only for guests of King George III.
For the area, Town and Country has previously reported that there is a very strict dress code.
Women are asked to dress modestly and wear hats or headpieces with broad bases- fascinators are not allowed.
The dress code states: ‘Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater. Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are not permitted. Jackets and pashminas may be worn.’
Men are allowed to remove their hats ‘within a restaurant, a private box, a private club or a facility’s terrace, balcony or garden’ or any enclosed seating area on the premises.
The Princess Royal appeared in good spirits as she arrived at the event in the sunshine earlier today
Delighted racegoers at Ascot were quick to try to snap a picture of the royal couple as they took part in the procession earlier this afternoon
Meanwhile Prince Charles’ (left) sister Princess Anne followed shortly afterwards, wearing a cream blazer with a matching dress for the occasion (right)
The couple appeared in high spirits as they lapped up the warm summer sunshine during the carriage procession this afternoon
A royal wave for the crowds! Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall offered a greeting to the royal fans who gathered to watch the carriage ride
The Prince of Wales was in good spirits and could be seen waving to crowds from the horse drawn carriage with Camilla
Prince Charles and Camilla lead the arrivals in the first carriage of the royal procession during the horse race today
The couple smiled as they arrived at the event in a horse-drawn carriage this afternoon, taking in the sights of the racecourse and the warm summer weather
Prince Michael of Kent and his wife Princess Michael arrived at the event in a horse drawn carriage earlier this afternoon
For the Royal Enclosure, everyone has to wear name tags, with the car park also exclusive, as guests gather there for picnics.
In contrast, this year’s published Style Guide for the event, the eleventh of its kind, hints at a more relaxed approach elsewhere, suggesting exuberant occasion wear is positively encouraged in 2022.
This has been reflected in an array of bold and colourful style choices among racegoers.
Princess Beatrice’s appearance at Royal Ascot to take her place in the Royal Enclosure comes after she last night enjoyed an evening at Mayfair’s private member’s club Oswald’s with Paul McCartney’s daughter Mary.
She dressed down for the occasion, leaving wearing a denim jacket and black floral headband.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s parents Carole and Michael were in good spirits as they spoke with fellow attendees at the event today
Carole and Michael arrived at the racecourse, where they chatted with other revellers and sipped champagne
Carole opted for a baby pink gown with black accessories including an eye-catching black fascinator for the outing today alongside her husband Michael (left and right)
Meanwhile Kate Middleton’s parents Carole and Mike were among those attending the first day of the Royal Ascot this afternoon
The club on Albemarle Street in Mayfair is famous among wine connoisseurs, and is owned by fellow environmental activist Robin Birley, whose father named his famous members’ club Annabel’s after his socialite wife – Lady Annabel Goldsmith.
It is a haunt frequented by royals , with Prince William enjoying a night out there with friends in November.
The Queen will not attend Royal Ascot today as she misses out on the event amid her ongoing mobility issues – but there will be a procession featuring Prince Charles, Camilla and Peter Phillips in the first carriage.
Following behind in the second carriage was the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent; while in the third carriage was Princess Anne, the Queen’s close friend Lord de Mauley and former British Horseracing Authority head of stewarding William Nunneley with his wife Caroline.
Zara and Mike Tindall were beaming as they arrived at the horse race in the sunshine earlier today, with the Princess Royal’s daughter donning a purple mini dress for the occasion
The mother-of-three donned a white fascinator, which featured distinctive pink and purple fluffy balls across the top, while her husband Mike coordinated
Yesterday, the Queen was pictured with Charles and Camilla to mark the Order of the Garter service – with the monarch dressed in a silver white gown and her blue Garter sash and holding a walking stick.
The photograph was taken at Windsor Castle yesterday ahead of the Garter service in St George’s Chapel. On the Queen’s arm was a matching silver handbag and in her hand her glasses.
She was also wearing her Garter star badge, her Bow Brooch and silver shoes. The Queen did not take part in the traditional procession of Garter Knights and Ladies through the grounds of the Berkshire castle.
Given her ongoing mobility issues, the decision was expected and in past years she has travelled by car to the place of worship. She did attend the behind-the-scenes lunch and investiture ceremony.
Sporting a £656 belted cream Zimmermann midi dress with pink flowers, the royal, 33, posed ahead of Royal Ascot in Berkshire today
Princess Beatrice opted to wear her auburn locks loose and held a light brown clutch bag. Her bag appeared to have the initials ‘B.Y’ on it, in a nod to her royal title ‘Princess Beatrice of York’
The royal completed her look with some simple jewellery, including a small gold bracelet and a bag with her initials ‘B.Y’, Beatrice of York engraved
Meanwhile Royal Ascot today welcomed racegoers to the stands for the sporting and social event as punters dressed in outlandish hats, summer dresses and smart suits cheer on the riders over the next five days.
Ascot Racecourse announced earlier in the year that visitor numbers would be reduced as part of its long-term ambition and following feedback from punters who attended the smaller scale Royal Ascot in 2021.
Capacity on each day will be reduced by 1,000 people in the Royal Enclosure, and for the Queen Anne and Windsor Enclosures cut by 4,150 and 2,000 respectively, with new facilities introduced.
Felicity Barnard, commercial director at Ascot, said earlier this year: ‘A key message in the feedback from the 2021 Royal Meeting, when attendance was limited to 12,000 per day as part of the Government’s Events Research Programme, was that people really appreciated the benefit of additional space.’
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