Sunday, December 22, 2024

King of the racecourse! Charles leads the family as glamorous Zara and Princess Eugenie join him for Royal Ascot

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Members of the Royal Family were photographed enjoying a day out as they attended Ascot

Royal Ascot, a five-day flat horse racing event held annually at Ascot race course in Berkshire, is a major event in the social calendar.

And it is popular with many royals, notably, the late Queen Elizabeth II famously loved the race – so much so, after she died, some thought The Firm’s connection with it may end.

But King Charles has continued to attend the event, and was pictured there today, appearing extremely happy at times, with photographs showing the monarch smiling, laughing, and chatting with other racegoers.

Among the other royal attendees were Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Tindall, 43, – who are both famous for their love of horses – as well as Zara’s husband Mike Tindall, and her brother Peter Phillips.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are snapped waving at crowds as they arrive at Royal Ascot on Tuesday

Princess Anne, who famously loves everything horse-related, looked exasperated while watching the action at Ascot

Princess Anne, who famously loves everything horse-related, looked exasperated while watching the action at Ascot

Lady Gabriella Kingston (pictured) makes her first official public appearance since the tragic death of her husband in February

Lady Gabriella Kingston (pictured) makes her first official public appearance since the tragic death of her husband in February

Queen Camilla accompanied the King, with the royal couple arriving together in a carriage. Princess Eugenie was also snapped at the event. 

Poignantly, Lady Gabriella attended Ascot today, making it her first official public appearance since the death of her husband.

Her late husband, Thomas Kingston died by suicide on February 25th at the age of 45 at his parents’ home in the Cotswolds. 

Lady Gabriella, who is the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, arrived at the event in a carriage she shared with Princess Anne and Peter Phillips.

She was seen being comforted by a number of royals, including Zara Tindall, who was snapped hugging the grieving Gabriella.

The King’s appearance at Ascot today followed Trooping the Colour at the weekend.

However, despite his busy schedule, and the fact he is undergoing treatment for cancer, the monarch seemed buoyant and in good spirits during the day.

The 75-year-old  was dressed in traditional grey morning suit for the annual sporting event in Berkshire.

Zara Tindall (pictured, left) looks sophisticated and chic as she attends Royal Ascot in a yellow frock with her husband Mike Tindall (pictured, right)

Zara Tindall (pictured, left) looks sophisticated and chic as she attends Royal Ascot in a yellow frock with her husband Mike Tindall (pictured, right)

Despite his recent hectic schedule, and undergoing treatment for cancer, King Charles (pictured) appeared to be in highs spirits today

Despite his recent hectic schedule, and undergoing treatment for cancer, King Charles (pictured) appeared to be in highs spirits today

Princess Eugenie was among numerous members of the Royal Family who attended the first day of Ascot today

Princess Eugenie was among numerous members of the Royal Family who attended the first day of Ascot today

Princess Eugenie looked chic in a pale green frock and cream ha

The royal was snapped while appearing to enjoy a conversation with a fellow Ascot attendee

Princess Eugenie, who looked chic in a pale green frock and cream hat, was snapped while chatting with another guest

Lady Gabriella Kingston (pictured, right) arrives at the event in a carriage, accompanied by Princess Anne (pictured, left)

Lady Gabriella Kingston (pictured, right) arrives at the event in a carriage, accompanied by Princess Anne (pictured, left)

Princess Anne is pictured at Royal Ascot today, the first day of the event

The royal famously loves horses, and was a professional equestrian

It’s no surprise that Princess Anne (pictured) was among the royals at Ascot today – she has a famous fascination with horses

Today marks the first day of the famous equestrian event, which is a favourite among members of The Firm (pictured: Zara Tindall)

Today marks the first day of the famous equestrian event, which is a favourite among members of The Firm (pictured: Zara Tindall)

Zara Tindall is pictured embracing Lady Gabriella Kingston as they both attend day one of Royal Ascot in Berkshire

Zara Tindall is pictured embracing Lady Gabriella Kingston as they both attend day one of Royal Ascot in Berkshire

As well as attending Royal Ascot today, Lady Gabriella Windsor (pictured) was at Trooping the Colour last Saturday

As well as attending Royal Ascot today, Lady Gabriella Windsor (pictured) was at Trooping the Colour last Saturday

King Charles (pictured) looked typically stylish during his Ascot appearance

The royal donned a grey blazer, which he paired with a yellow waistcoat, white shirt, and blue tie

The king (pictured) looked smart in a grey blazer, which he paired with a yellow waistcoat, white shirt, and blue tie

Mike Tindall, pictured looking dapper in a smart suit and top hat, is thought to be among the most popular royals

Mike Tindall, pictured looking dapper in a smart suit and top hat, is thought to be among the most popular royals

Racing manager John Warren (pictured, left) and Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips (pictured, right) arrive at the event in a carriage

Racing manager John Warren (pictured, left) and Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips (pictured, right) arrive at the event in a carriage

Zara and Mike Tindall were among the royals at Ascot today

Zara Tindall is the daughter of Princess Anne and the niece of King Charles

King Charles’ niece Zara Tindall (pictured) was among the royals at Ascot today, attending with her husband Mike Tindall (pictured) 

SAY CHEESE! Zara and Mike Tindall (pictured) were seen posing for a selfie with another Ascot attendee

SAY CHEESE! Zara and Mike Tindall (pictured) were seen posing for a selfie with another Ascot attendee

Along with a yellow waistcoat, the King donned a light blue tie, a blue pocket square and a black top hat. He carried a large black umbrella with him.

The Queen also looked stylish, wearing a royal blue coat dress and a coordinating hat.

She styled her hair in her signature bouncy blow-dry and accessorised with a pair of pearl earrings

Meanwhile, Zara Tindall looked chic and sophisticated in a patterned yellow ensemble.

She  put her best fashion foot forward in a stylish buttermilk-coloured button-up dress that featured a pointy collar and puffy blouse sleeves.

The chic garment had a belt that cinched in Zara’s waist, showing off her slender frame. 

43-year-old Gabriella was pictured with her arm around Mike Tindall's shoulders, as he wrapped a comforting arm around her waist

43-year-old Gabriella was pictured with her arm around Mike Tindall’s shoulders, as he wrapped a comforting arm around her waist

King Charles made a number of public appearances recently - despite his ongoing cancer treatment

The royal attended Trooping the Colour on Saturday, before appearing at Ascot today

Despite receiving treatment for cancer, King Charles (pictured) still has a busy schedule. His Ascot appearance followed his attendance at Trooping the Colour on Saturday

King Charles (pictured, left) and Queen Camilla (pictured, right) are seen arriving at Royal Ascot in a carriage

King Charles (pictured, left) and Queen Camilla (pictured, right) are seen arriving at Royal Ascot in a carriage

The royal couple were seen waving at the assembled crowds as their carriage arrived at the event (pictured L-R: King Charles; Queen Camilla)

The royal couple were seen waving at the assembled crowds as their carriage arrived at the event (pictured L-R: King Charles; Queen Camilla)

Zara, known to share her mother’s love of equestrian sports, was all smiles as she made her way around the Royal Enclosure – which is invitation only – at the racecourse in Berkshire today.

The mother-of-three looked every inch a royal in a rattan-style hat, which she perched on the edge of her head and wore her glossy blonde tresses in an elegant low bun. 

Her husband Mike Tindall looked dapper, attending the races in a sleek black top hat and a three-piece suit featuring a white crisp shirt, floral embroidered tie, grey waistcoat and a smart blazer.

The pair looked in high spirits and smiled as they took selfies with other revellers at the racecourse today.

King Charles has been described as a 'workaholic' according to some reports,  which say the monarch has not wanted to slow down, despite his current illness

King Charles has been described as a ‘workaholic’ according to some reports,  which say the monarch has not wanted to slow down, despite his current illness

Camilla has been praised for her sense of style since becoming queen

She is known for wearing flattering silhouettes and is stylish hats

Camilla has been praised for her style since becoming queen. She often wears vibrant colours and outfits with a similar flattering silhouette

Another image of King Charles again showed the royal appearing to have a good time at the event, as he was snapped laughing

Another image of King Charles again showed the royal appearing to have a good time at the event, as he was snapped laughing

Despite his busy schedule, the king appeared delighted to be attending Ascot

Just days earlier, he was at Trooping the Colour, one of the main events in the royal calendar

It has been a busy few days for the king (pictured), with Trooping the Colour on Saturday, and Royal Ascot this week

At one point, Queen Camilla (pictured) appeared to gasp as she watched the Queen Anne Stakes (which was won by Charyn ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, not pictured)

At one point, Queen Camilla (pictured) appeared to gasp as she watched the Queen Anne Stakes (which was won by Charyn ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, not pictured)

WATCHING THE ACTION: King Charles and Queen Camilla appear deep in concentration as they watch the action from the stands

WATCHING THE ACTION: King Charles and Queen Camilla appear deep in concentration as they watch the action from the stands

They even shared an awkward moment with Queen Camilla, as her wide-brimmed headpiece got in the way of the couple trying to greet her with a kiss. 

And Princess Eugenie joined the other well-dressed royals, looking stylish in a pale green frock and cream hat. 

Writing jointly in the official programme, Charles and Camilla said: ‘It gave us immense pleasure and joy to witness Desert Hero’s victory in the King George V Stakes last year, particularly as he was bred by Her late Majesty. 

‘We wish all the participants this week the very best of luck in seeking that unique thrill of a Royal Ascot winner.

‘We also hope that those here at the racecourse and watching from home will enjoy five days of the finest racing that this sport has to offer.’

King of the racecourse! Charles leads the family as glamorous Zara and Princess Beatrice join him for Royal Ascot

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