King Charles III and Queen Camilla kicked off their Royal Ascot celebrations in style, stepping out onto Gold Cup Day with a majestic carriage procession as temperatures topped 84°F.
It was a vibrant family affair that brought together multiple generations of the monarchy alongside esteemed guests and racing personalities.
The regal couple took the reins in the traditional landau carriage, embracing the pageantry of the moment with waves across the Parade Ring.
They were accompanied by Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as King Charles‘s nieces, Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall, each seated in their own place of honor during the procession.
Their presence underscored both the family’s unity and their shared love of racing.
A midway royal rally
Onlookers witnessed a moving display of support and camaraderie. Princess Anne, accompanied by her husband and son Peter Phillips (and partner Harriet Sperling), shared comforting gestures, while designer Annabel Elliot and author Anthony Horowitz, invited in recognition of the Queen’s literary initiative, “The Queen’s Reading Room,” added cultural flair to the royal entourage.
Notably missing from the procession were Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall, who opted out likely due to carriage capacity constraints.
Prince William, having featured in Day Two’s processional debut due to Kate‘s withdrawal, was notably absent from this carriage lineup but remained engaged throughout the week.
Royal elegance on and off the track
Arriving in traditional morning attire-Charles in a grey three-piece suit and top hat, and Camilla in a chic pastel ensemble-the king and queen upheld Royal Ascot’s demanding dress code with grace. Their appearance followed a trio of high-profile royal engagements earlier in the week, including Trooping the Colour and the Order of the Garter, signaling a packed royal calendar.
In the program foreword, written jointly by the king and queen, they praised last year’s Australian victor in the inaugural King Charles III Stakes and shared hopeful words for this year’s competitors:
“Last year, we were delighted to witness an Australian winner of the first running of the King Charles III Stakes, and we look forward to seeing a number of top-quality international runners compete this week.”
They added: “Having experienced the thrill of victory at Royal Ascot ourselves in 2023, we can only wish all those competing this week the very best of luck and that everyone watching has the most enjoyable five days.”
Further spotlighting the 200th anniversary of the Royal Procession, they paid tribute to the Windsor Grey horses that pulled their carriage: “The hardworking Windsor Greys look magnificent every day, and in this special year, they deserve extra recognition, as do those in the Royal Mews who look after all the horses with such dedication.”
Their own entry in the 5 p.m. race, a horse named Reaching High, added personal stakes to the festival atmosphere. The monarchs, deeply invested in the sport, showcased a fine blend of tradition and personal passion.