The King and Queen led the Royal Ascot carriage procession on Thursday as members of the Royal Family and distinguished guests arrived in style for the third day of the famous meeting.
Their Majesties travelled in the first carriage alongside the Earl of Snowdon and Ms Isabelle de la Bruyère, continuing a tradition that remains one of the most recognisable spectacles of the British racing season.
In the second carriage were The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, accompanied by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Princess Anne and the Edinburghs received a warm welcome from racegoers lining the route as the procession made its way along the course.
Princess Zahra Aga Khan, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, Zara Tindall and champion trainer Willie Mullins travelled in the third carriage. Mullins, whose horses have enjoyed remarkable success at Royal Ascot in recent years, was among a number of leading racing figures taking part in the ceremony.
The fourth carriage carried Lord and Lady Cavendish together with actor Stanley Tucci and his wife, literary agent Felicity Blunt, adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to the occasion.
Thousands of racegoers gathered to witness the procession, which has opened each day of Royal Ascot since 1825. The pageantry and tradition provided a fitting prelude to Gold Cup Day, one of the highlights of the five-day meeting and a day steeped in royal history.
