The Queen dazzles as she arrives at Ascot with Queen Maxima as royals turn out in numbers
THE QUEEN looked radiant in blue this afternoon as the royal family turned out for a day at the races.
Queen arrives at Royal Ascot in pastel blue outfit
The Queen arrived at Royal Ascot in a carriage with Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, who also attended the Order of the Garter service yesterday. Her Majesty smiled and waved during the ride along the Berkshire course. Prince William and Kate followed in the coach behind with Prince Charles and Camilla.
The Duchess of Cambridge put on a typically stylish display in an Elie Saab outfit teamed with a hat by Philip Treacy.
Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex travelled in the third carriage.
And the final coach carried Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, with the sisters both opting for blue dresses.
Beatrice accessorised with a hat in a matching shade, while Eugenie donned a yellow headpiece.
There was no sign of Beatrice’s boyfriend Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi or Jack Brooksbank, who Eugenie wed back in October.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were also absent and the new parents are thought to have stayed at home with baby Archie, who was born last month.
The traditional carriage procession marks the start of the annual racing event.
The royals chatted to each other after they arrived in the parade ring.
Olympic equestrian Zara Tindall, who stunned in a floral dress, was spotted hugging family members and sharing a joke with Kate.
The Queen is known for her love of horses and she regularly attends Royal Ascot.
She is also a breeder of thoroughbreds with more than 20 Royal Ascot winners.
Writing in the foreword to the official programme for the first day, Her Majesty said: “Racing began at Ascot over 300 years ago and while much has changed, the horses remain the stars, thrilling us with their beauty, brilliance and courage.
"The quality and depth of competition at the royal meeting has also continued to prosper, with eight group one races taking place this week."
William and Kate later presented Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, with his winning trophy after the thoroughbred Blue Point, from his Godolphin stable, won the King's Stand Stakes.
The Cambridges also gave an award to the winning jockey James Doyle.