WITH SOPHIE LEADING IN THE STYLE STAKES
ROYAL ASCOT
CHARLES AND CAMILLA, ZARA AND MIKE AND SOCIETY BELLES ENJOY THE THRILL OF THE RACES ONCE AGAIN
The Prince of Wales with the Duchess of Cornwall and the Earl of Wessex watch as Royal Ascot gets under way (above) with clear social distancing in the parade ring (left)
‘You’ve got to think of it as a celebration of getting back to normal again’
The Duchess of Cornwall
A highlight of the summer social calendar was back in full force last week with the return of Royal Ascot. The five-day Berkshire race meet welcomed back 12,000 spectators in a magnificent sartorial display as the cream of British society brushed down glad rags and put on top hats and fancy frocks.
The excitement was palpable at the sporting fixture, which, being mostly outdoors, had been chosen as one of the pilot events allowed to take place before the possible lifting of all lockdown restrictions next month.
And while Covid measures put paid to the traditional daily carriage processions, it didn’t stop the royal family from enjoying the excitement and thrill of the racetrack once again.
ROYAL APPOINTMENT
While the Queen watched the first few days on television at home in Windsor Castle – making it only the second time in 69 years that she’d been absent – the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were there on opening day, with Camilla looking elegant in a striped Bruce Oldfield coat in shades of blue teamed with a matching face mask, and Prince Charles wearing his top hat and grey tailcoat with characteristic style.