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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Queen's family step out in force at Royal Ascot as she misses first day of racing

The Queen might have decided to skip the first day of this year's Royal Ascot - but her family were still out in force at the event today.

Royals including Prince Charles, Camilla, Sophie Wessex, Princess Beatrice and Zara and Mike Tindall have all been seen enjoying their day at the races.

The royal party were led by Charles and Camilla, who took part in the traditional carriage procession along the course before racing began.

They were joined in their carriage by Princess Anne's son, Charles' nephew, Peter Phillips, with Anne following along in another carriage.

The second carriage was filled with minor members of the royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

Prince Charles with Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Zara Tindall at Royal Ascot today (Getty Images)
Beatrice greets her uncle Prince Charles with a kiss (Getty Images)

Before the procession, Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, walked through the gates to the course with the other punters and were surrounded by photographers before making their way into an exclusive area.

Beatrice wore a summery floral dress, which she teamed with an elegant hat and belt as well as a clutch bag bearing her initials BY - Beatrice York.

Charles and Camilla led the carriage procession (UK Press via Getty Images)
Princess Anne was also seen during the carriage procession (REUTERS)

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She was then later seen chatting to her cousin Zara Tindall, who arrived at the racecourse alongside her husband Mike.

Meanwhile, snapped in the royal box alongside Charles and Camilla was Sophie Wessex, who wore a huge stylish hat along with a baby pink dress.

She was pictured giving her brother-in-law Charles a kiss on the cheek before the pair shared a joke together.

Beatrice arrived with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Roy)
Zara and Mike Tindall at Royal Ascot today (James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)

And although they are not royal - but have a strong royal connection - the Duchess of Cambridge's mum and dad Carole and Michael Middleton were also spotted in the grandstands at Royal Ascot today.

Despite the Queen being missing from the opening day of Royal Ascot, she did pen a note for the official programme, where she hailed the event as a “thrilling” experience for racegoers.

She wrote: “After the challenges of recent times, this year’s royal meeting provides a long-awaited opportunity for supporters of racing from all over the world to come together for five days of outstanding sport.

Sophie Wessex joined Charles and Camilla in the royal box (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Sophie and Charles share a joke together (Getty Images)
Kate Middleton's parents Carole and Michael at Royal Ascot today (REUTERS)

“Once again, it is thrilling that horses from around the globe have travelled to Royal Ascot to compete at the highest level.”

The Queen has more than 10 horses entered over the five days of the event and, with her Windsor Castle home just a 15-minute drive away, there is still some hope that she will attend during the week.

Her horse Reach For The Moon, which missed out on being entered for the Epsom Derby, is favourite with some bookies to win the Hampton Court Stakes on Thursday with jockey Frankie Dettori taking the reins.

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