The Queen has shared her excitement at the first full Royal Ascot meeting in three years in a special message at the start of the event.
Her Majesty written message was included in the programme for the meet. The Queen said ”I am delighted to welcome you to the first Royal Ascot with a full attendance since 2019.”
Noting the impact of the pandemic, Her Majesty continued ”after the challenges of recent times, this year’s Royal Meeting provides a long-awaited opportunity for supporters of racing from all over the world to come together for five days of outstanding sport.”
And there was also a personal message from The Queen, who wrote ”I have been most grateful for the continued kindness shown to me by the racing community. In my Platinum Jubilee year, I was interested to learn that in support of The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, Ascot Racecourse and the Crown Estate have planted seventy oak trees in Windsor Great Park, each of which is linked to a local school.”
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall led the royal party at Ascot, arriving in the first landau of the long awaited parade. It’s been three years since the royal procession was seen at Ascot.
With them was Peter Phillips. Unusually, the first carriage contained just three people, rather than the expected four.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were in the second carriage with Prince and Princess Michael of Kent while the Princess Royal joined the party in the third carriage.
Other royals, including the Earl and Countess of Wessex, had arrived earlier. Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Zara and Mike Tindall were also present.
Camilla chose a blue coat and dress with matching hat while Sophie was in pink with a large brimmed hat for day one of Ascot. Zara Tindall chose a pink and grey print dress while Princess Beatrice chose a coral floral print for the event.
The Earl of Wessex helped hand out the trophies. Prince Edward handed over the prizes for The King’s Stand Stakes, which was won by Nature Strip.
Royal Ascot continues until June 18 2022.
