A beaming Princess Anne has stepped in for the Queen at the Epsom Derby while the 96-year-old monarch watched the horse racing from home.
It was announced yesterday that Her Majesty, who is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee, would not be attending the event today - but she has been sent a souvenir race card to follow the action.
Anne, alongside her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, arrived at the sold-out racecourse in Surrey just before 1pm as part of a procession.
The procession included her children Zara Tindall, who was with her husband, former rugby player Mike and Peter Phillips, who was also with girlfriend Lindsay Wallace.
Crowds cheered and waved union flags as they made their way in to the course, with Anne seen smiling.
She then appeared in the royal box while the national anthem was played by a band. Crowds cheered and waved at the princess, who was grinning and chatting with her husband.
Anne then waved and laughed, while thanking those around her for making her welcome.
Jubilee celebrations took place in the Queen’s absence, with 40 jockeys who have ridden for the owner-breeder donning the royal racing silks and forming a guard of honour before the national anthem was sung.
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Later, Zara said her grandmother the Queen would have been watching the Epsom Derby at home in her “comfy clothes”.
She added: “She will be watching on the TV – she has a few runners today dotted around the country, so she knows exactly what’s going on.
“She’ll just be sat on the sofa watching the TV. She’ll be in her comfy clothes.”
Asked about the royal procession arriving through a guard of honour of 40 of the Queen’s past and present jockeys, Zara added: “It was amazing. It was so nice to see so many faces. It was funny seeing them trying to fit back into the colours again, all the retired ones.
“Obviously, we’d love her (The Queen) to be here. But it’s nice to be here. I’ve never been to Epsom before. It’s exciting. I need to go and explore.”
Five of the monarch’s former racehorses were also paraded, and a selection of hats inspired by the seven decades of her reign have been displayed.
Her hopes of winning the Derby this year were dashed earlier in May when her horse Reach For The Moon, who was among the favourites, and two others were withdrawn.
Thoroughbreds owned by the Queen have won four out of the five flat racing classics, the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks and the St Leger, with only the Derby eluding her.
It came as other royals fanned out across the different nations of the UK during the Platinum Jubilee weekend.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were joined by Prince George and Princess Charlotte on a special Jubilee visit to Cardiff Castle today.
But it seems their youngest child Prince Louis stayed at home today despite stealing the show at Trooping the Colour on Thursday with his adorable appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside his great-grandmother the Queen.
George, eight, and seven-year-old Charlotte were surprise additions to the outing on what is their first official visit to Wales..
The couple and the two older children watched rehearsals and met some of the acts taking part in a concert at the castle for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee including Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler.
Meanwhile Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex met children taking part in multicultural street performances in Belfast.
They also joined in with art and craft sessions, and spoke to people sharing their personal memories of meeting the Queen.
