Royal Family RECAP: King Charles joined by A-list friend at Royal Ascot, as son Prince William visits Devon farm

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After a glittering state banquet on Wednesday night, the Japanese royals' three-day state visit to The Netherlands has continued with a special outing to see a world-famous painting. 

On Thursday, Emperor of Japan Naruhito joined the Dutch Prime Minister, Rob Jettern, and King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands for a visit to the Mauritshuis art museum where they stopped by the famous 17th century Girl with the Pearl artwork by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. 

The painting is believed to have been created around 1655 and features a woman looking over her shoulder with a striking, oversized pearl earring. 

The Emperor posed in front of the iconic painting alongside the Prime Minister and King.  

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Looking lovely as ever, the Duchess of Edinburgh wowed in a navy dress with a sheer overlay. Accessorising to perfection, she added a string of pearls and completed her raceday look with a fringe detailed hat as she sat diagonally opposite from her husband, Prince Edward.

Princess Anne took pride of place next to Duchess Sophie in the second carriage, accompanied by her husband, Sir Tim Laurence. The Princess Royal looked smart in an orange jacket embroidered with a floral print. A cream hat with feathered detailing completed the look.

© Getty Images for Ascot Racecours

King Charles and Queen Camilla led the carriage procession alongside the Earl of Snowdon (Princess Margaret's son) and his girlfriend Isabelle de la Bruyere. The second carriage saw Princess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence joined by the Duke and the Duchess of Edinburgh.

The third carriage, meanwhile, featured Princess Zahra Aga Khan and HH Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, as well as Zara Tindall and  Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey Mr Willie Mullins. Princess Zahra is the daughter of the late Aga Khan IV and Princess Salimah Aga Khan, who have long had links to the royal family. 

Bringing up the rear was Lord and Lady Cavendish, joined by Devil Wears Prada star Stanley Tucci and his wife, publishing guru Felicity Blunt. Stanley is a prominent ambassador for the King's Trust.

He previously joined the monarch on his estate to celebrate Anglo-Italian relations for a black tie dinner, joining forces with renowned Italian chef Francesco Mazzei to create the dishes.

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Zara Tindall was a dream in a butter yellow dress with a waist-cinching belt. The royal looked impossibly chic in the jacquard number, which boasted intricate embroidery on the dress. A pair of gold stilettos and a rectangular bag completed the look, with a fabulous hat setting the ensemble off perfectly.

Zara is the undisputed style queen of Royal Ascot and never fails to look chic. Ascot is known for its strict dress code – no outfits above the knee, strapless dresses are a big no-no and hats or fascinators are a must. 

H! Fashion recently spoke to Daniel Fletcher, Royal Ascot's first-ever creative director, who told our sister publication how to nail the dress code.

"Of course, the dress code is an important part of Royal Ascot and should always be your starting point. But I’m always keen to remind people that there’s so much room for creativity within those guidelines. 

"Whether it’s through colour, tailoring, millinery or accessories, there are countless ways to express your personal style while still dressing appropriately for your enclosure. My advice would always be to familiarise yourself with the dress code in advance, then have fun finding a look that works within it and feels completely your own."

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The Earl of Snowdon and his girlfriend, Isabelle de la Bruyère, marked a major milestone on Thursday by making their debut as a couple in the Royal Ascot carriage procession.

David Armstrong-Jones - son of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones - and Isabelle, his partner of two years, received a coveted invitation to travel in the leading carriage alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Berkshire racecourse.

The 64-year-old Earl, who is King Charles’s first cousin, is believed to have started dating Isabelle, 54, in the summer of 2024. While the couple attended Royal Ascot together last year, they did not participate in the horse-drawn procession.

Their inclusion in the first carriage coincided with Ladies' Day, an event famous for its high-fashion turnout. Professionally known as David Linley, the Earl is the nephew of the late Queen Elizabeth II. This makes him a first cousin, once removed, to the late Queen's eldest grandson, Peter Phillips.

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Prince William is at the Apricot Centre this afternoon, a carbon-negative farm and wellbeing service in Totnes, Devon. 

The Prince of Wales, 43, has toured the farm and heard how the Apricot Centre has evolved into a financially viable and environmentally pioneering enterprise.

He's also met some pigs and gone fruit-picking, as well as speaking to the managing director, Rachel Philips. 

His Royal Highness maintains a strong interest in how organisations transition to net zero and, since becoming Duke of Cornwall, has set the Duchy of Cornwall the ambitious target of becoming net zero across the estate by the end of 2032.

Set on 120 acres, the Apricot Centre uses organic and regenerative farming methods, including agroforestry, permaculture, rotational grazing, and crop rotation. 

Alongside producing food, the Centre supports farmers and land-based businesses, offers nature-based wellbeing therapies and training courses.

William's had a busy week after attending Royal Ascot with the Princess of Wales yesterday, Trooping the Colour last Saturday, and Garter Day on Monday. 

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Carole and Michael Middleton have enjoyed a rare public date day out at Royal Ascot on Thursday. 

The Princess of Wales's parents, who tied the knot in 1980 at St James's Parish Church in Dorney, Buckinghamshire, are celebrating their 46th wedding anniversary this weekend. 

Carole, 71, was also seen chatting to Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Tindall, and catching up with Queen Camilla. 

She didn't disappoint with her race-day look for the occasion, wearing an elegant duck-egg blue A-line dress, which she paired with a matching hat and nude pointed-toe stilettos.

As for Michael, 76, the father-of-three stepped out looking rather dashing in his race day attire, wearing grey striped trousers, a taupe waistcoat and a black morning coat, his ensemble punctuated with a coral tie. 

This is the first time we have seen Michael since his appearance at Kate's Together at Christmas carol service. 

© NTB/AFP via Getty Images

Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday after being convicted of two counts of rape, alongside several other criminal offences. 

Marius was initially held at Oslo Prison, but ahead of the trial, he was transferred to Ila Detention and Security Prison, located just outside of Oslo.

The prison houses some of Norway's most dangerous criminals, including prisoners who have been handed the most serious sentences from Norway's criminal justice system.

Ila holds up to 124 prisoners, housed across 12 wings. Among Marius' fellow inmates is Anders Behring Breivik, who was convicted of carrying out the 2011 Norway attacks; however, he is unlikely to cross paths with the mass murderer, as Anders is prevented from casual contact with other inmates.

Matthew Moore, our senior evening writer, has detailed the facilities at Ila Prison and compiled pictures of what it looks like inside. 

Thank you for joining me this afternoon on our royal blog. 

It's been great covering Royal Ascot - I've loved seeing everyone's outfits! Who was your favourite? I personally liked Zara Tindall's look today.

I'm now handing over to Rebecca in the US, who will keep you updated from here. 

Queen Camillamade an appearance at day three of Royal Ascot, looking fabulous in a pale green coat dress, perfect for the June summer day.

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Her Majesty wore a crepe silk coat dress by Fiona Clare, and paired it with a Dior handbag and a diamond oyster brooch, as well as a hat by Philip Treacy. 

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On day three, Camilla was joined by King Charles to award trainer Aidan O'Brien and Jockey Ryan Moore, who won the Gold Cup aboard Scandinavia. 

Earlier in the day, Charles and Camilla rode in the Royal Ascot carriage procession with the Earl of Snowdon, David Armstrong-Jones, and his girlfriend, Isabelle de la Bruyère, who received the coveted invitation.

Prince William has revealed what his young family gets up to when they're away from the public eye - and it involves a lot of gardening!

© PA Images via Getty Images

William and Princess Kate are raising their children during school breaks at Anmer Hall, the family's 10-bedroom Norfolk retreat, and the Prince of Wales, 43, made rare comments on Thursday about life at home, sharing that they have been teaching their children how to grow fruit and vegetables.

Rachel Phillips, the managing director of Apricot Centre in Dartington, Devon, said that William shared that Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, and Prince George are growing strawberries, raspberries, and lettuce and have a small kitchen garden. - although he was asking for advice o how to  stop them eating them all."

Read our full story here.

The Duchess of Edinburgh has been cutting an elegant figure at Royal Ascot this year, and was joined by both the Duke of Edinburgh and her father, Christopher Rhys-Jones.

The 94-year-old, who will be turning 95 on Friday June 19, enjoyed an early birthday treat as he headed to the races with his daughter and son-in-law. Christopher was seen standing with Prince Edward, with the pair both wearing smart suits. Sophie was near the pair, and she looked gorgeous in a black dress.

Read the full story here.

Oh I do love a royal surprise!

As King Charles and Queen Camilla made their entrance on day three of Royal Ascot, all eyes were, for a change, not on the monarch but their unexpected guests. Riding in carriage four was actor Stanley Tucci, of Devil Wears Prada fame, along with his glamorous wife, Felicity Blunt.

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Stanley wore an obligatory top hat and tails and was seen gleefully soaking in all of the atmosphere as one should. Felicity also perfected Ascot fashion with a ruffled floral dress, identified as the LEO LIN Selina Butterfly Sleeve Midi Dress, paired with a striking black hat.

Click here for all the best pictures.

That's all from me today, but I'll leave you with this report by HELLO!’s Features Editor Miranda Thompson, which made me feel like I was right there next to her and our colleague Rachel Avery at Royal Ascot.

© Miranda Thompson

Miranda and Rachel went behind the ultra-exclusive velvet ropes of the Royal Enclosure on day one to witness Harriet Sperling’s historic carriage debut, discover celebrity style secrets, and find out what happens when you walk in the footsteps of the King.

Oh, and receive a "wave and nod in recognition" from their Majesties. 

Marvellous!

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