Peter Phillips was once again joined by his NHS girlfriend Harriet Sperling as the Firm descended on Royal Ascot for another day at the races amid scorching temperatures.
The King was joined by glamorous members of the Royal Family this afternoon as they stepped out for Ladies Day at the Berkshire races – although there was once again no sign of the Princess of Wales, who withdrew from yesterday’s events at the last minute.
Taking part in the traditional royal procession, Charles, 76, sat next to Queen Camilla, 77, in the first carriage as it travelled past packed stands on the Berkshire course, while the mercury soared to above 30 degrees.
Joining them at the races once again today were Peter and Harriet who were seen holding hands in a united display – after being invited to take part in Tuesday’s official carriage procession.
Today, Harriet, 45, looked radiant once again in a gorgeous yellow ensemble, adding a matching fascinator with a bow – in a display fit for royalty.
Peter, 47, who is King Charles’s nephew and the son of Princess Anne, has been dating Harriet for over a year, after breaking up with his previous partner of three-years, Lindsay Wallace.
The duo seemed sweetly loved-up as they held hands, while Peter even matched his tie to the butter yellow shade of Harriet’s dress.
Following the procession, Harriet was seen in conversation with a very amused King Charles – yet another indication that she’s been granted the royal sign of approval.
There were no less than 10 members of the royal family in today’s official procession – which marks the start of a day of racing.
In the second carriage today was the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh as well as Princess Anne, 74, and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Charles’ stylish nieces Zara Tindall, 44, and her husband Mike, 46, as well as Princess Beatrice, the daughter of Prince Andrew, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi featured in the third and fourth carriage.
Zara herself looked glamorous in a monochrome Laura Green coat dress, which she teamed with an elegant hat.
Meanwhile Princess Beatrice had also opted for bright shades of yellow for Ladies’ Day as she stunned in Monique L’hulier – adding a white floral hat to match.
And Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, opted for Suzannah London, donning a white floaty blouse with a green leaf pattern for the scorching weather.
In a sign of changing times, the Marchioness of Salisbury, who had joined the King in his carriage, was even seen with her phone out, appearing to take pictures to capture the moment as the procession arrives.
The royal procession is celebrating its 200th anniversary, a tradition which began during the reign of George IV in 1825 when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington.
His Majesty’s appearance today comes after Princess of Wales sparked concern as she pulled out of attending the festival yesterday, apparently at the last minute.
But royal sources insisted there was nothing to worry about and that it was simply a case of crossed wires.
Aides also stressed that Catherine was continuing to ‘balance her return to public life’ following her cancer diagnosis last year, after which she made clear that she would resume her duties with a slow and measured approach.
The mini-drama came as her husband, Prince William, handed out the prize for the Prince of Wales stakes at the racecourse in Berkshire.
Executives at Ascot had expected the princess to join him, travelling down in the carriage procession from Windsor Castle with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
At 12pm they issued the procession list for the day, featuring the Prince and Princess of Wales in the second carriage after the King and Queen.
But 22 minutes later, guidance was issued which said Catherine would not be attending. It is understood an ‘inaccurate version’ of the list was ‘issued in error’.
An updated list was circulated and Lord Soames – a good friend of the King – lost his seat to make way for William in the first carriage with Charles and Camilla.
They were also joined by Saudi’s Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud.
Sources stressed there was ‘no cause for alarm’ and Catherine was following guidance palace aides have always given: that she would ‘balance her return to public duties’, following appearances at Trooping the Colour on Saturday and Monday’s Order of the Garter service.
They added that she was ‘disappointed’ not to attend but ‘has to find the right balance’.
Catherine, 43, had abdominal surgery last January, after which she was told cancer had been present, forcing her to undergo preventive chemotherapy.
At the beginning of this year she revealed she was in remission and would begin a slow and measured return to royal life.
While Catherine was not present at Ascot, Charles and Camilla were there for the second day running and plan to attend all week.
Her Majesty wore an emerald crepe silk dress by Anna Valentine, with a matching hat by Philip Treacy and an emerald and diamond drop brooch which belonged to Queen Elizabeth.
The Princess of Wales’s mother Carole Middleton also attended, alongside her daughter-in-law Alizee Thevenet, the wife of Kate’s brother James Middleton.
The King hosted Lady Sarah Chatto, the daughter of his late aunt Princess Margaret and a favourite of the late Queen.
She was joined on the fourth carriage by her artist husband Daniel Chatto. Also in the procession were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, who sat in the second carriage.
The royal procession is celebrating its 200th anniversary, a tradition begun in 1825 when George IV was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington.
The King and his wife have continued Queen Elizabeth’s close association with the Berkshire race meet, but they had no luck when their horse Reaching High was beaten in the Ascot Stakes.
The late Queen was a passionate owner of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.
