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14 of the royal family's memorable moments from Royal Ascot

King Charles and Queen Camilla marked a milestone at the Berkshire races this year


The Cambridges with Charles and Camilla at Royal Ascot© Getty
Sharnaz Shahid
Deputy Online Editor
June 22, 2023
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Royal Ascot is one of the highlights of the summer for the British royal family, and King Charles and Queen Camilla have been joined by several members of their families at the Berkshire racecourse this year. 

HELLO! takes a trip down memory lane at some of the most memorable moments from the glamorous event, including Prince Harry and Meghan's stunning debut in 2018 and Princess Diana's visit to the race ground just weeks before her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981.

And who can forget the time Mike Tindall had the Queen in stitches with his top hat prank in 2019? Take a look at the moment here...

WATCH: Mike Tindall makes the Queen laugh at Royal Ascot

There was also a hilarious moment in 2017 as the then Countess of Wessex nearly fell on top of the then Duchess of Cambridge as she boarded the carriage. The ladies managed to laugh it off in style, of course!

The Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess of Wales, 2017

kate middleton sophie wessex at ascot

Sophie and Kate's visit to Ascot started off with a stumble, when Prince Edward's wife lost her balance and nearly fell into Kate's arms as she boarded their carriage. The royals looked shocked before breaking into fits of laughter. Prince William, meanwhile, could be seen chuckling in the background. Here, the royals are pictured laughing off the mishap and looking more composed after the small incident.

MORE: 8 times Kate Middleton and mum Carole proved they were mother-daughter goals

Prince William holds umbrella up for wife Kate, 2019

kate middleton william umbrella

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge found themselves under an umbrella as wet weather reigned supreme at Ascot last year. Ever the doting husband, Prince William held the umbrella to shield himself and his wife from the terrible weather.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, 2018

Harry and Meghan attended Royal Ascot shortly after their wedding© Getty
Harry and Meghan attended Royal Ascot shortly after their wedding

Just a month after their royal wedding, the Sussexes made their joint debut at Royal Ascot. For Meghan's first appearance at the family event, she ticked all the boxes of the strict dress code wearing a white Givenchy shirt dress. The newlywed completed her ultra-regal look with a hat by Philip Treacy and swept her hair into an elegant low bun.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie cheering, 2013

beatrice eugenie ascot

Both Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie got into the spirit of things when they were seen cheering on the Queen's horse Estimate to victory in the Gold Cup on Ladies Day.

The Princess of Wales and Carole Middleton, 2017

Carole Middleton and Duchess of Cambridge at Royal Ascot 2017© Getty
Carole and Kate enjoyed a mother-daughter day at Royal Ascot

The Princess was joined by her mother, Carole Middleton, at the 2017 races. The mother and daughter duo looked lovely for the opening day, with Kate dressed in a white lace Alexander McQueen dress, while Party Pieces founder Carole donned a pale blue ensemble from Goat.

The Queen with the Queen Mother, 1959

queen royal ascot 1959

An avid fan of horses and horse racing, the late Queen can been seen with her mother at the famous races on Ladies Day in 1959. Royal Ascot was founded by Queen Anne in 1711. The Queen was a dedicated supporter of the annual event and owned 24 winning horses including Estimate, 2013's winner of the historic Gold Cup. Attended by thousands of race-goers, each day of the five-day meeting commences with a Royal Procession, and the arrival of the Queen and the royal party in horse-drawn landau carriages is televised each year.

Lady Diana's first Royal Ascot, 1981

lady diana first ascot 1981

This was the late Princess Diana's first appearance at Ascot with the royal family - just days before her wedding to Prince Charles. Diana, then 18 years old, was seen happily waving at royal fans as she sat next to her future husband in a horse-drawn carriage. It was one of the first sightings of the late princess before she took on her royal duties.

Princess Diana with the Queen Mother, 1986

diana queen mother ascot 1986

Princess Diana charmed the crowds as she sat alongside the Queen Mother during the procession. Leaving both Princes William and Harry at home, the late royal appeared to be in great spirits as she happily waved at onlookers.

Princess Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York rock bold colours, 1990

diana sarah ascot 1990

Known for being good friends, it hardly surprising that Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson coordinated some of their outfits. The pair both sported pillar-box red outfits for their appearance with their husbands in 1990.

The Queen presents Prince Harry with a gift following a polo match, 2003

prince harry queen ascot 2003

The Queen and Prince Harry shared a sweet moment when the monarch handed her grandson with a gift following a polo match during Royal Ascot.

Prince William kisses his grandmother, 2004

william kisses queen ascot

A year later, Prince William gave his grandmother, the Queen, a kiss on the cheek at the polo match on the second day of the Royal Ascot.

Princess of Wales's Royal Ascot debut, 2016

Kate attended Royal Ascot for first time in 2016© Getty
Kate made her Royal Ascot debut in 2016

The then Duchess of Cambridge looked sensational as she made her Royal Ascot debut in a stunning white lace dress from Dolce & Gabbana. She was joined by husband Prince William at the famous racing event.

Vacant seat opposite Prince Charles, 2022

ascot vacant seat

Charles and Camilla led the procession riding in the first carriage with the Queen's eldest grandchild Peter Phillips. Despite delighting fans with their presence, royal fans were quick to spot the vacant seat opposite Prince Charles. The reason was simple: the seat was intentionally left empty in honour of the Queen's absence.

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend first Royal Ascot of their reign, 2023

King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the opening day of Royal Ascot 2023© Getty
King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the opening day of Royal Ascot 2023

It was a milestone year as Charles and Queen Camilla attended the royal meet for the first time as King and Queen in 2023. The couple were joined by many members of their families on the opening day, including the Princess Royal, Mike and Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

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