King Charles beamed as he officially kicked off Royal Ascot - and touchingly invited a royal relative whose husband tragically died earlier this year to join the carriage procession.
The monarch along with Queen Camilla, who wore cobalt blue, led the carriage procession into the Berkshire racecourse for the first day of the annual race meeting. They were joined in their carriage by the Duke and Duchess of Wellington while several of his royal relatives travelled behind in another carriage.
They include his sister Princess Anne, his nephew Peter Phillips and Lady Gabriella Kingston, whose husband Thomas Kingston, a war hero and financier, was found dead at the age of just 45 at his parents' mansion earlier this year. It is seen by many as an honour to be included in the Royal Ascot carriage procession on the first day of the race meeting and comes just days after Lady Gabriella was spotted at Trooping the Colour - her first public appearance since her husband's death.
Lady Gabriella Kingston alongside Princess Anne at Royal Ascot today (PA)On Saturday, she was seen at a window of Buckingham Palace behind the other royals, who appeared on the balcony to watch the RAF flypast at the climax of the King's Birthday Parade. Since Mr Kingston's sad death, it is believed the royals have been rallying around Lady Gabriella, who is the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. She wore a beautiful floral dress complete with a pale pink hat
Other notable attendees in the carriage procession include Charles' racing manager John Warren and Camilla's sister Annabel and her son Sir Ben Elliot. Not in the carriage procession but attending the race meeting today were Mike and Zara Tindall, with Zara giving Lady Gabriella a huge hug on seeing her. Also there were Princess Eugenie and the Duchess of Gloucester.
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At the races, Charles and Camilla will be hoping to add to their tally of Royal Ascot winners and cement their position as champions of racing, just like Queen Elizabeth II. The King and his wife took on the late Queen’s thoroughbreds and have entered a string of horses over the next five days.
Zara Tindall greets Lady Gabriella with a huge hug (PA)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."
The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds, and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Traditionally, the King and Queen arrive at Royal Ascot in a carriage procession with their guests, a convention which will reach its 200th anniversary next year, as it was first held in 1825 during the reign of King George IV.
Princess Eugenie in mint green today (UK Press via Getty Images)
Zara Tindall smiles on the first day of Royal Ascot (UK Press via Getty Images)Punters dressed in stunning hats, summer dresses and smart suits will cheer on the riders over the next five days at the Berkshire race course. It was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 after she declared Ascot ideal for "horses to gallop at full stretch" and has today become a major social event as well as a sporting attraction.
Royal Ascot comes at a busy time for King Charles, who is still undergoing cancer treatment. On Saturday, he was in London for his annual birthday parade Trooping the Colour, and appeared on the palace balcony along with the rest of his family, including the Princess of Wales, who is also having cancer treatment.
Meanwhile, yesterday, he and Camilla, along with Prince William, processed through the grounds of Windsor Castle for the annual Garter Dayb service commemorating the country’s oldest and most senior order of chivalry.
Charles and Camilla followed tradition and were at the back of the procession, dressed in white plumed hats and dark blue velvet robes as were the other members of the order, including the Princess Anne and Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh.
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