The Duchess of Edinburgh had a victorious day at Royal Ascot, joining other members of the royal family at the prestigious racecourse in Berkshire. Sophie, aged 56, had attended multiple days of the event throughout the week and arrived solo, without her husband Prince Edward. After participating in the carriage procession with Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Sophie, dressed in a lovely pastel pink dress and a matching tulle fascinator, celebrated her horse’s win. She had placed a bet on Porta Fortuna, who triumphed in the Albany Stakes, giving jockey Frankie Dettori his 80th Royal Ascot victory. With excitement evident on her betting slip, Sophie raised her fist in jubilation, and her niece-in-law Kate Middleton showed her support with a thumbs-up. Sophie completed her stylish look with a sleek bun and a coordinating hat.
Alongside Sophie was her husband Prince Edward, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales, and King Charles and Queen Camilla. Sophie also attended the event the previous day with a surprise guest, her father Christopher Rhys-Jones. This year’s Royal Ascot is significant as it is the first one since the passing of the Queen in September, who was known as a devoted fan of the event. Throughout her remarkable 70-year reign, the late Queen attended nearly every Royal Ascot festival, except for last year due to mobility issues.
On a separate note, yesterday brought tears to the King’s eyes as he secured his first-ever win at Ascot. The royal couple, overcome with emotion, watched their horse, Desert Hero, triumph in the King George V race from the royal box after experiencing two consecutive losses. Other members of the royal family, such as Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, and Mike and Zara Tindall, have also been spotted enjoying the races throughout the week. Earl Snowdon and Sarah Chatto, the King’s cousins, joined the royal procession yesterday. The two women were seen conversing while enjoying the races earlier in the afternoon.
The close bond between Kate and Sophie was evident as they shared a laugh in the Royal Box, displaying their enjoyment of the event. Elsewhere, racegoers showcased their finest outfits to celebrate in the beautiful June sun. High heels and fascinators were popular choices among guests, who opted for colorful dresses and glamorous attire. Many female attendees embraced the relaxed dress code, which allows freedom to choose between the traditionally male or female dress codes, opting for bright trouser suits. As the day turned into evening, some revellers left the Berkshire racecourse looking worse for wear after hours of partying.
As for the dress code, Ascot maintains a fairly strict policy unlike its competitors Cheltenham, Epsom, and Aintree. The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, appeared elegant at Royal Ascot, arriving without her husband Prince Edward, yet in high spirits. Racegoers were seen swapping their high heels for flip flops after a tiring day walking in their formal footwear. Notable attendees included David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley (also known as Earl Snowdon), the son of the late Princess Margaret, and Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel Chatto, in addition to Lord Nicolas Soames, former Conservative MP and grandson of Winston Churchill. Camilla’s family, including her sister, ex-sister-in-law, and ex-husband, were also present at the races.
This year, the organizers showcased heartwarming photos of the Queen’s visits to Ascot over the years. These included a black-and-white photo of the Queen riding on the tracks in 1960 at the age of 34, wearing a headscarf and riding boots, while her horse galloped along. The photo depicted an unofficial race with other members of her royal party, ending with the Queen finishing fourth. Another photo displayed the Queen beaming at Ladies Day in 2013, a particularly successful Ascot for her as her horse Estimate won the Gold Cup, making her the first monarch in 200 years to claim the prize. In the image, the Queen wore one of her signature coat dresses in a lovely shade of purple, paired with a floral dress underneath that complemented the flowers on her hat. She also adorned a three-strand pearl necklace, which she wore to her final Ascot in June 2021.
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