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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Queen to skip first day of Royal Ascot - but asks other royals to attend in her place

The Queen is not expected to attend the first day of Royal Ascot today, it is understood.

The annual horse racing meeting, which features a carriage procession of royals before the racing starts, begins today.

However, the Queen is not expected to attend but other members of the royal family are due to make their way to the Berkshire racecourse.

Prince Charles and Camilla will travel in the lead carriage in the procession along the racecourse past the stands with the Princess Royal’s son Peter Phillips.

They will be followed by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent with the Princess Royal in the third carriage with other guests.

The Queen will reportedly miss the first day of Royal Ascot today (Getty Images)

The Queen was a regular at Royal Ascot before the pandemic and it is not known if she will attend other days this week, but racegoers will be hoping to see her in the royal box.

Punters dressed in outlandish hats, summer dresses and smart suits will cheer on the riders over the next five days at the Berkshire race course.

Her Majesty is a passionate horse breeder and has a number of runners scheduled to be entered at Royal Ascot this week.

Princess Alexandra with the Queen at Royal Ascot in 2018 (Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse)

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Traditionally the Queen arrives at Royal Ascot in a carriage procession with her guests, but if she does attend on other days it is likely to be by limousine.

Racegoers could see the Earl and Countess of Wessex or the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in the royal box.

Yesterday was Garter Day at Windsor Castle, one of the most colourful days in the royal calendar, where several members of the Firm take part in a procession wearing velvet robes and plumed hats.

The Queen pictured with Charles and Camilla yesterday ahead of the Order of the Garter Service (PA)

However, the Queen did not take part in the public procession and instead her attendance was limited to a private lunch and investiture ceremony.

Later, a picture was released of Her Majesty standing alongside Prince Charles and Camilla, who is newly installed in the Order.

It showed her dressed in a silver white gown and her blue Garter sash and holding a walking stick and stood between Charles and Camilla, who were in their grand velvet Garter robes.

The photograph was taken at Windsor Castle on Monday ahead of the Garter service in St George’s Chapel.

On the Queen’s arm was a matching silver handbag and in her hand her glasses. She was also wearing her Garter star badge, her Bow Brooch and silver shoes.

It was the first time the Queen has been pictured since the four days of festivities celebrating her Platinum Jubilee.

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