The eldest and 'favourite' grandchild of the Queen, Peter Phillips took centre stage earlier this week alongside his uncle and aunt when he arrived at Royal Ascot. Peter, who is the eldest child of Princess Anne and older brother of Zara Tindall, arrived at the event, which is a favourite with members of the Royal Family, in the first carriage procession.
Sharing the first carriage with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Peter dressed smartly in a dark grey suit and top hat as he matched with his uncle. Peter's mother, Princess Anne was also part of the procession, but arrived in the third carriage, accompanied by Lord de Mauley, the Queen's Master of the Horse, William Nunneley, and Caroline Nunneley, one of Anne's Ladies-in-Waiting
Four of Her Majesty's cousins rode into the event in the second carriage - the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. The fourth and final carriage was occupied by the Earl and Countess of Hopetoun, Tom Hopper and the goddaughter of Princess Diana, Lady Alexandra Hopper.
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The route of the four-carriage-strong procession trailed past the Parade Ring, which was full of excited racegoers. The royals in carriages were not the only members of The Firm in attendance at Royal Ascot, with Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi also going to the first day of the event on Tuesday, June 14.
Princess Beatrice, another grandchild of Her Majesty's and the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew, is thought to be living near Lisbon, Portugal with her husband, Edoardo, and son, August. The couple and their son are reportedly splitting their time between Portugal and the UK after Edoardo landed a new job at the Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club.
Beatrice and Edoardo's move came after they vacated Frogmore Cottage, which had been sublet to the family by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their new home at the Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club boasts 700 acres of land, sporting facilities (including an 18-hole golf course), access to a mile-long beach, and a restaurant and bar.
Her Majesty is yet to appear at the Royal Ascot, although she did pen a message to racegoers which was then published in the official programme. The note read: "I am delighted to welcome you to the first Royal Ascot with a full attendance since 2019.
"After the challenges of recent times, this year's Royal Meeting provides a long-awaited opportunity for supporters of racing from all over the world to come together for five days of outstanding sport. Once again, it is thrilling that horses from around the globe have travelled to Royal Ascot to compete at the highest level."
Mentioning the huge amount of support thrown behind Her Majesty for her Platinum Jubilee recently, the sovereign continued: "I have been most grateful for the continued kindness shown to me by the racing community.
"In my Platinum Jubilee year, I was interested to learn that in support of The Queen's Green Canopy initiative, Ascot Racecourse and the Crown Estate have planted 70 oak trees in Windsor Great Park, each of which is linked to a local school."
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