The King and his glamorous relatives embraced the fun-filled spirit of Royal Ascot today as they jovially greeted one another on the fourth day of the racing festival.
Charles, 76, appeared in great spirits as he greeted his niece Princess Eugenie, 35, and her mother Sarah Ferguson, 65, with kisses on their hands at the Berkshire racecourse.
His Majesty was also joined by another of his nieces, Zara Tindall, the daughter of Princess Anne, who looked delighted to see her royal family members.
The 44-year-old British equestrian, dressed in an elegant light blue suit teamed with a matching blouse and a statement hat featuring an eye-catching white bow, shared a warm embrace with her cousin Eugenie upon her arrival.
Both appeared to follow royal protocol as they curtsied for the King and Queen, after the monarch and his wife arrived at the race meet by carriage, having taken part in the traditional royal procession, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary.
Putting on a chic display, Eugenie stunned in a stylish wide-brimmed hat and flattering dress featuring a billowing white skirt and a square-shouldered brown top.
Her beaming mother Sarah, Duchess of York, looked equally fashionable in a trendy monochrome polka dot frock.
Not to be outdone, Camilla, 77, oozed glamour in a white chiffon dress with embroidered flowers from Anna Valentine, paired with a feathered Philip Treacy hat.
The King and Queen will be hoping to double their tally of Royal Ascot winners when their horse takes to the turf in a sprint race today.
Charles and Camilla have seen their racing hopes dashed twice this week when their much fancied thoroughbreds were well beaten.
But Purple Rainbow will be running in the aptly named Sandringham Stakes over a mile and could add to the couple’s first Royal Ascot winner in 2023.
Racegoers have been given a respite for the moment from this week’s sweltering conditions, with hazy cloud over the Berkshire race course keeping the warm temperatures below Thursday’s record highs.
Will Aitkenhead, head of corporate and industry affairs at the track, said: ‘Whilst there are no plans to ease the dress code at this stage, we are conscious of rising temperatures through the day and will monitor the situation.
‘We will be handing out bottled water to guests on arrival and have worked hard overnight to provide more shaded areas.’
The King and Queen were joined by Camilla’s old school friend Lady Cavendish and her husband Lord Cavendish in their coach during the traditional carriage procession along the course.
Among the guests travelling in the carriages were the former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad, the Queen’s Companion the Marchioness of Lansdowne and musical maestro Lord Lloyd-Webber.
Eugenie’s husband Jack Brooksbank was also spotted in the parade ring alongside former defence secretary Ben Wallace when the royal procession arrived in the exclusive area.
The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.
Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V Stakes.
His Majesty’s appearance today comes after Princess of Wales sparked concern as she pulled out of attending the festival on Wednesday, 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.
