There was only one place to be this week - the Parade Ring at Royal Ascot.
And on Day One of the historic five-day racing festival in Berkshire, HELLO! Was there to witness the royal family welcome a new family member into their fold.
As the horse-drawn royal carriages concluded their traditional procession down the racecourse by entering the Parade Ring, the crowds burst into uproarious applause on seeing the King and Queen, who waved and nodded in recognition.
© Miranda ThompsonShouts of "God save the King!" echoed around the flower-strewn enclosure as their carriage, which also included their long-time friends the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, drew to a stop. Not even the presence of a spooked pony could disturb the graceful disembarkment of the couple, with Queen Camilla once again wearing the Cullinan V heart-shaped diamond brooch she had worn to Ascot the previous year.
But all eyes were on the second carriage, which was carrying the newest member of the royal family on her carriage debut; Mrs Peter Philips, formerly Harriet Sperling, who had married Peter Philips ten days previously at a ceremony attended by the King and Queen, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales. Her new mother-in-law, Princess Anne, could be seen offering Harriet advice before she stepped down from the carriage to join her new husband, who was beaming from ear-to-ear as he offered Harriet his arm.
Meanwhile, the King was clearly thrilled to see his niece Zara Tindall together with her husband Mike; the monarch removed his top hat to give Zara a kiss, before Mike bowed to the king, smiling as part of his top hat fell to the floor. The trio remained deep in conversation for several minutes as the horses for the first race began to enter the ring, before Zara then caught up with her mother, Princess Anne.
It was one of the many highlights of a day I'll never forget - my first Royal Ascot.
The crown jewel of the British Summer Social Season, 300,000 racegoers flock to Ascot for an unforgettable day of high society, eye-catching fashion and top-tier racing. I was lucky enough to receive an invitation from Beyond Developments, one of the main sponsors of the event, together with HELLO!'s homes editor, Rachel Avery.
Preparation for the day began well in advance so as to comply with Ascot's strict dress code within the Royal Enclosure, the area once exclusively reserved for guests of the Household of King George for the first running of the Gold Cup in 1807.
Rachel meticulously measured the straps of her dress, which had to surpass one inch in thickness, while I pulled out a midi polka dot dress which adhered to the knee-length-or-longer ruling.
Hats are a must in the Royal Enclosure - fascinators are forbidden - and I was kindly loaned a piece from the King's Foundation, the King's charity which promotes the preservation of at-risk heritage hat-making skills, made by Finley Howie, who this week learned that he'd won the Ascot £10,000 millinery bursary. I was in brilliant company: as well as creating my striking hat, Finley also crafted a piece worn by the Duchess of Gloucester at Ascot, while Princess Beatrice wore one of his headpieces to the Philips wedding. Getting to congratulate him at the King's Foundation stand - where the lead tutor on the Chanel and King's Foundation Metiers d'Art Millinery Fellowship quickly showed me I'd put it on wrong! - was a real joy.
As we toured the green lawns of the Royal Enclosure, which is home to marquees hosted by some of the most exclusive private members' clubs in the country, including the Garrick and White's, there were plenty of celebrities to spot, too. We caught sight of Bridgerton's Golda Roshuvel teaming blue taffeta with a patchwork denim jacket as she headed to the course-side The Summer House, where West End star Vanessa Williams was also seen in a russet two-piece. Inside the enclosure, Kelly Osbourne looked gothically glamorous in an eye-catching bat hat that honoured her late father, Ozzy.
As the races began, it was back to our Beyond Developments box for a slap-up lunch and plenty of tip-swapping. Much to the disappointment of our betting slips - and the royal family, I'm sure - the King and Queen's horse Reaching High finished last in the 5pm race, despite being the favourite to win.
© WireImageMuch to the disappointment of our betting slips - and the royal family, I'm sure - the King and Queen's horse Reaching High finished last in the 5pm race, despite being the favourite to win.
Ahead of the 5.35 race, we were lucky enough to get tickets right inside the Parade Ring itself. Standing alongside former champion jockey Frankie Dettori, we watched the runners parade right in front of us. But the absolute icing on the cake? Spotting Zara and Mike Tindall just a few feet away, laughing and smiling as they passed us on our way back to our box.
As racegoers congregated around the bandstand for the tradition of communal singing, I slipped away, already dreaming of being invited back next year.
