The Queen at Ascot last year (Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Picture: PA Archive)The Queen has missed every day of Royal Ascot for the first time since her coronation in 1953.
The racecourse confirmed on Saturday that the monarch would not be attending as a result of ongoing mobility issues.
Her Majesty, 96, watched the final day of the royal event on television instead, according to the Daily Telegraph.
It is the first time that the monarch has missed the Royal Ascot of her own accord, after being unable to attend in 2020 when the race was held behind closed doors due to the pandemic.
Writing in the Royal Ascot 2022 programme, the Queen said: “I have been most grateful for the continued kindness shown to me by the racing community.”
The Duke of Kent led the royal carriage procession in her absence, joined by Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
Earlier this week, the royal procession was led by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall for the first two days and the Princess Royal on the third.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge led the royal party at Friday’s event, arriving in the traditional carriage procession.
William and Kate have not attended the Berkshire meet for a number of years and received a cheer, which they acknowledged with a wave, when crowds in the parade ring first caught a glimpse of the royal couple.
The Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this month, with millions of Britons holding street parties to mark her 60th year on the throne.
A number of events were also held across four days at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to celebrate her reign.
Her Majesty attended several events, but was forced to pull out of others due to mobility issues.
The Queen first attended the Royal Ascot in 1946 and went on to make history by becoming the first reigning monarch to win the Gold Cup in 2013.
