King Charles and the royal family arrived today at the opening of Royal Ascot as this year marks the 200th centenary of the first royal procession.
The Royal Procession Was Introduced By King George IV In 1825
The summer season is filled with huge social events on the royal calendar, as they recently celebrated the King’s official birthday at Trooping the Colour this past weekend. Then, yesterday, the ceremony of the Order of the Garter took place.
Today, King Charles and Queen Camilla rode in a horse-drawn carriage. Today marked 200 years since this pomp and circumstance display first started.
The tradition was introduced by King George IV in 1825 when the monarch was escorted by the fifth Duke of Wellington, Arthur Charles Wellesley.
They rode in the first carriage to the tune of the national anthem. Today’s very special guest was Peter Phillips, Princess Anne’s son, and King Charles’ nephew.
Phillips was accompanied in the third carriage by his girlfriend, Harriet Sperling. They made their debut at the Badminton Horse Trials this year.
The invitation to join the regal procession can be seen as the King’s own stamp of approval and a very high honor.
The King and Queen rode past the packed crowds on the Berkshire course. They were in the carriage procession as the monarch tipped his hat and waved to them.
Charles and Camilla rode in the first carriage with Prince Faisal, a member of the Saudi royal family. Lady Sarah Keswick, one of the Queen’s official companions, was also with them.
Princess Anne traveled with Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot. Princess Anne’s son, Peter Phillips, and his girlfriend, Harriet, rode in the carriage behind them. They were joined by author Anthony Horowitz and his wife, Jill.
Queen Elizabeth II Owned Over Twenty Royal Ascot Winners
Camilla’s charity and book club, Reading Room, which Horowitz is closely associated with, has an exhibition stand at Royal Ascot to tempt visitors to relax and check out some books.
In the fourth carriage was barrister Henry Morton Jack and his wife, Lady Joanna. Also, the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Halifax, alongside Lord and Lady Vestey.
Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall, who is an avid horsewoman, was seen at the event kissing, hugging, and greeting the other royals.
Charles and Camilla have high hopes that their horse will come out as a champion in the Ascot Stakes when Reaching High competes with the other thoroughbreds. The horse is a favorite and one of several horses the couple has entered this week.
The Queen Anne Stakes is the opening festival at Royal Ascot, which was established by Queen Anne in 1711 and is now a major social event on the royal calendar. The Royal and Queen Anne enclosures are the most prestigious.
Royal Ascot was especially important to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was a passionate breeder of thoroughbred horses and kept more than 20 Royal Ascot winners throughout her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla inherited the Queen’s collection of horses.
In their traditional message to guests, the King and Queen referred to their victory in 2023. Their horse, Desert Hero, won the King George V Stakes, marking their first Royal Ascot winner as horse owners.
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