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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make glamorous debut at Ascot – all the best photos

meghan markle and harry at ascot
Ainhoa Barcelona
Content Managing Editor
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meghan markle and harry at ascot© Photo: Getty Images

All eyes were on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they made their glamorous debut at Royal Ascot on Tuesday. The new Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were coincidentally marking their one-month wedding anniversary, looked totally loved-up as they joined the Queen and other members of the royal family at the prestigious horseracing event.

Meghan was attending for the very first time as a Duchess, while Harry has been to Ascot before. It's a highlight in the royal family's calendar and an event particularly loved by Her Majesty, who first learnt how to ride aged three. The 92-year-old monarch made her debut in 1945 at the age of 19, and has had 23 winners there since.

In keeping with tradition, the Queen and her family ride in carriages and travel down the straight in front of the stands at precisely 2pm every day of Royal Ascot. On day one, Harry and Meghan took their seats in their own carriage, while Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, were also among the royal party.

Click through to see the best photos from Royal Ascot…

meghan markle and sophie wessex at ascot© Photo: Splash

Meghan opted for a white Givenchy shirt dress, which ticked all the boxes for the strict dress code. She completed her ultra-regal look with a hat by Philip Treacy and swept her raven hair into an elegant low bun. Beauty wise, the Duchess went for natural make-up. Being outside all day doesn't warrant a dramatic lip, so Meghan wisely opted for a pale pink hue.

meghan markle ascot clutch© Photo: Getty Images

The 36-year-old Duchess paired her Givenchy dress with a black clutch by the same French designer. The luxury label is clearly a favourite with Meghan; she wore a beautiful Givenchy dress for her church wedding last month.

meghan markle ascot fascinator© Photo: Getty Images

Harry looked dapper at Meghan's side, wearing a suit and top hat.

meghan markle ascot white dress© Photo: Getty Images

Meghan ticked all the boxes with her flowing white dress and her elegant hat. She accessorised with black heels and a small black clutch.

the queen ascot 2018© Photo: Getty Images

The Queen traditionally leads the carriage procession, with other members of the royal family joining for the ride. This year she rode with Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and The Lord Vestey. The monarch was all smiles, not only because she was attending one of her favourite events of the year; her granddaughter Zara Tindall has just given birth to her second child!

queen princess anne ascot 2018© Photo: Getty Images

The monarch, who has described Royal Ascot as "this wonderful racecourse", spoke about her fondness for the sporting event in her foreword for the official programme. "My family and I greatly look forward to Royal Ascot," she wrote.

"As the royal meeting has evolved in recent times, it remains one of Britain's finest sporting occasions with 300,000 racegoers enjoying the unique heritage of Royal Ascot every year, and many more people watching at home.

"Tradition and innovation sit comfortably together, over five days of racing. International competition is a compelling feature in the modern era, and it is always a delight to welcome horses and jockeys from around the world to this wonderful racecourse."

meghan markle ascot carriage© Photo: Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a carriage with Harry's uncle, Prince Edward, and his wife the Countess of Wessex. Sophie looked stunning, wearing a pale purple dress.

meghan markle riding in ascot carriage with prince harry© Photo: Splash

The Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Sussex wave to crowds from their carriage.

countess of wessex ascot 2018© Photo: Getty Images

A closer look at the Countess of Wessex, who was incidentally celebrating her 19th wedding anniversary with Prince Edward.

princess eugenie ascot 2018© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Charles and Camilla rode in the second carriage after the Queen, with Prince Andrew's daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. 

princess beatrice ascot 2018© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Andrew's daughters were dressed to the nines for the races, with Beatrice wearing a pale blue dress and Eugenie also opting for white. 

princess beatrice at ascot 2018© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Beatrice, 29, is a regular at the event and never fails to look impeccably elegant with her choice of attire. This year was no exception – the daughter of Prince Andrew stunned onlookers wearing a dress by Claire Mischevani and coordinating hat by Juliette Botterill, which balanced on the top of her trademark mane of red hair beautifully. Flawless makeup highlighted her pretty features and she carried a simple clutch bag and wore classic nude high heels by Kurt Geiger.

meghan markle ascot shoes© Photo: Getty Images

Meghan and Harry mingled in the royal enclosure with other members of their family, including Prince Charles and Princess Beatrice, both pictured in the background.

meghan markle philip treacy fascinator© Photo: Getty Images

Meghan's hat by Philip Treacy matched her dress perfectly.

meghanmarkle talking camilla ascot© Photo: Getty Images

Meghan chats to the Duchess of Cornwall at Ascot.

prince edward sophie ascot© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex made up the royal party.

royal family ascot 2018© Photo: Getty Images

Members of the royal family always turn out in full force for the races.

princess michael of kent© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Michael of Kent also joined in the family event, riding in the fourth carriage. 

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