KING Charles appeared in high spirits today as he waved to the crowd from a carriage at Royal Ascot – signaling the start of the race.
The monarch had Queen Camilla by his side as they smiled at the masses amid the star-studded festival on the Berkshire tarmac.
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The royals arrived at the course in the traditional procession of carriages before the first race.
The couple were dressed to the nines, with Camilla stunning in an electric blue dress and hat.
The king wore a gray coat, yellow waistcoat, blue tie and elegant top hat.
Princess Anne arrived at the same time, along with Zara and Mike Tindall.
Lady Gabriella Kingston and Peter Phillips were also seen beaming.
Zara and the King were photographed greeting each other with a friendly kiss on the cheek and a hug.
The King wished participants “good luck” in chasing the “thrill of a Royal Ascot winner”.
He has several horses running in the iconic British meeting.
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Charles revealed this morning that he would miss a day of racing.
The royal, who is undergoing cancer treatment, said she would not attend tomorrow.
However, he said he would return the next day.
This means that Queen Camilla will have someone else by her side on the second day of the procession – which signals the start of the race.
Writing together in the official programme, Charles and Camilla said: “It was an immense pleasure and joy to witness Desert Hero’s victory in the King George V Stakes last year, especially as he was bred by Her late Majesty.
“We wish all of this week’s entrants the best of luck in their quest for the unique thrill of a Royal Ascot winner.
“We also hope that those here at the speedway and watching from home will enjoy five days of the best racing this sport has to offer.”
Seven races will take place on each day of Royal Ascot, with this year’s prize pool worth a record £10 million.
What horses does King Charles III race?
Here are all the horses the King and Queen have currently entered to race at Royal Ascot this year:
*Subject to change
- Golden Water in the 3.05 King George V Stakes on Thursday 20 June.
- Treasure in the 3.45 Ribblesdale Stakes on Thursday 20th June.
- Crown Property in the 5.05 Britannia Stakes on Thursday 20th June.
- Hard to resist in the 5.05 Sandringham Stakes on Friday 21 June.
- Desert Hero in the 3.05 Hardwicke Stakes on Saturday 22nd June.
- Treasure in the 5.40 Golden Gates Stakes on Saturday 22 June.
- Golden Water in the 5.40 Golden Gates Stakes on Saturday 22 June.
- Desert Hero in the 3.40 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes on Saturday 22 June.
It comes days after the King’s Trooping the Color ceremony, where he and Princess Kate stood shoulder to shoulder on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The royals waved to the crowd on Saturday afternoon in what experts dubbed an image of solidarity.
Excited fans erupted as the royals stepped out for the monarch’s birthday, in Kate’s first public appearance since Christmas.
It was the first time Princess Kate attended a public royal event since she and Charles were diagnosed with cancer.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said the late Queen would have been proud of Charles and Kate’s “gesture of solidarity”.
Richard told The Sun: “I think the image that so many people will have is of Catherine standing next to King Charles on the balcony.
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“This could be interpreted as a gesture of solidarity and support from Charles to Catherine.
“Let’s be frank. It would have been very stressful to carry out the entire ceremony.
“Everything is at the center of a global media storm. Britain is known for its ceremonial brilliance.
“King Charles and the Princess of Wales knew very well that all public movements would be photographed.
“Obviously, this was something that went very well and the image was one of absolute solidarity.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
