Tip-top Titfer! Duchess of Cornwall leads style stakes at Cheltenham festival
THE Duchess of Cornwall gave a tip of the hat to the large Irish contingent at the Cheltenham Festival yesterday in an emerald green Philip Treacy creation decorated with shamrocks.
Racegoers glam up for Ladies Day at Cheltenham
Camilla, 69, was there to present the Queen Mother Champion Chase trophy, won by jockey Noel Fehily riding Special Tiara.
It was Ladies Day and, although the meeting is more low-key than Royal Ascot, there were plenty of famous faces and glamorous outfits.
Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Tindall were spotted chatting to Camilla’s ex-husband Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles in the parade ground.
The Duchess of Cornwall wore a fancy hat
Princess Anne was another spotted royal
It was a glorious day
Actress Liv Tyler and her partner Dave Gardner brought a touch of Hollywood and James Nesbitt, star of television’s Cold Feet, was also at the famous old course.
Many of the women sipping champagne in the 57,681 crowd donned tweed coats and jaunty headgear, including cossack hats and pieces decorated with flowers and pheasant feathers.
Punters were left reeling at the halfway stage of the festival after suffering a battering at the hands of the bookies on day two.
Liv Tyler with partner Dave Gardner were less formal
Most of the results went against the backers and many lost on hot favourite Douvan, the 2-9 “banker” of the week, in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The horse ridden by Ruby Walsh jumped poorly and finished seventh.
One optimistic punter had put down £500,000 at odds of 1-5, hoping to rake in £100,000.
Camilla, who owns a handful of racehorses, has taken on the Queen Mother’s support for National Hunt racing.
She is also due to visit the home of flat racing, Newmarket, next week to unveil a statue of King Charles II at the Rowley Mile Racecourse.
The Duchess certainly enjoyed her trip to Cheltenham.
“It was a glorious day,” a royal aide said.