Royal Ascot: Prince William holds hands with Kate’s mum; jockey who rode Aussie horse wins again
Prince William’s close relationship with mother-in-law Carole was on display at Royal Ascot, where the jockey who rode an Aussie horse to victory continued winning. See photos.
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King Charles sat out the second day of Royal Ascot but there was an incredible display of unity from the royals as the sun shone briefly in the uncertain English summer for the Berkshire meet.
His son William, the Prince of Wales, travelled with Queen Camilla leading the traditional royal procession followed by Princess Eugenie, Zara and Mike Tindall, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh - Edward and Sophie- and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
Camilla and William sharing a carriage together was the first time they united since they steered the royal show at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in March.
The Firm’s show of extended family unity was a welcome spectacle at the society event of the season after a royal weekend comeback, where a long-awaited appearance by Catherine, the Princess of Wales was received to rapturous applause by well-wishers at the King’s official birthday parade.
Although there was no Princess of Wales, who is continuing her treatment for cancer, her parents Mike and Carole Middleton swept through the iron gates of the famous racecourse dressed for a day in the royal box.
Used to appearing solo since his wife’s illness, Prince William, donning a morning suit, was seen chatting animatedly in the parade ring with Zara’s husband Mike, his aunt Sophie and cousins Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank.
Zara put her arm around Sarah Ferguson as the two appeared locked in serious discussion and was also seen holding onto Prince William’s arm.
Kensington Palace announced on its official page the prince enjoyed “a thrilling afternoon of racing,” and congratulated Irish horse trainers Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien and bay colt Auguste Rodin, who secured a determined victory in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes netting Mr O’Brien a 400th Group or Grade One triumph on the Flat.
At one stage William lent his mother-in-law a hand as she struggled to free the talon of her shoe wedged in the lawn.
The Prince of Wales, 41, was spotted holding the hand of Kate’s mum in a touching gesture, with Mrs Middleton at one stage holding on to her son-in-law’s arm.
Carole Middleton appeared to give a subtle nod to her absent daughter with her choice of frock which was made by the brand Self-Portrait, which Kate often wears.
It featured chiffon sleeves with a pussy-bow at the neckline - and similar to an Elie Saab outfit first worn by Catherine in 2019 at Ascot.
Catherine, 42, has been absent from royal duties since January when she discovered she had cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery and while Kensington Palace has been at pains to stress the public appearance does not mark a full return to public schedules, she is expected to make a few British summertime appearances.
“I am not out of the woods yet,” she said on Friday about her ongoing cancer diagnosis, announcing she would attend Trooping the Colour.
The palace stressed it will only confirm her attendance to future public events less than 24 hours beforehand.
“She is still under the guidance of a medical team and it will be one day at a time for Kate,” a palace source stressed. “It will depend on how she is feeling on the day. She is still in treatment for a few months longer.”
The princess is continuing her cancer treatment at home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor where she is also working on her Early Years Project.
It comes as champion jockey Oisin Murphy continued his winning streak on Wednesday, having struck with Australian raider Asfoora, trained by Aussie Henry Dwyer, on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old Irishman produced a superb ride on Running Lion in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes, then added the Royal Hunt Cup to his laurels later on Wednesday, riding Wild Tiger to victory.
A LONG WAY FROM BALLARAT: AUSSIE TRAINER TRIUMPHS AT ASCOT
Australian trainer Henry Dwyer saw his horse Asfoora sprint home to land the Group One King Charles III Stakes on Tuesday, the first day of Royal Ascot.
Asfoora’s jockey Oisin Murphy, 28, stood up in the saddle and waved his whip at the stands as top-hatted men and women, dressed in the latest fashions, cheered and applauded the popular Irishman.
“We’ve come a long way from Ballarat,” said Mr Dwyer.
“It was a bit of an audacious plan. We got a bit of stick at home for bringing her over because she wasn’t seen as one of our better sprinters.”
Asfoora’s owner and breeder Akram El-Fahkri, a taxi firm owner of Lebanese heritage, received the trophy from King Charles III who looked very dapper in a top hat and suit with yellow waistcoat and blue checked tie.
Joining the monarch at race day was Queen Camilla decked out in a royal blue summer frock, and Princess Anne.
Mike and Zara Tindall beamed and waved as they arrived.
The monarch chatted with jockeys as he presented a number of winners with awards during a glorious afternoon of racing.
King Charles took to the stage to congratulate Royal Ascot winners after leading a carriage procession with Queen Camilla.
The King was seen speaking with jockey Oisin Murphy after he won the King Charles III Stakes during Royal Ascot on the Aussie-trained sprinter.
The King had wished racegoers the “best of luck” in chasing the “thrill of a Royal Ascot winner”.
King Charles revealed he would miss one day of the racing, and won’t attend on Wednesday, however he will be back the following day.
Seven races will take place on each day of Royal Ascot, with this year’s overall prize pot worth a record £10 million (A$19m).
ROYALS BACK LADY GABRIELLA AFTER TRAGEDY
Lady Gabriella Kingston has made her first major return to public life following the tragic death of her husband
There had been speculation King Charles would invite Lady Gabriella to join the royal family for select events following the death of Thomas Kingston, how was found dead on February 25 at his parents' house from an apparent suicide.
Lady Gabriella, the daughter of Prince Michael; of Kent, joined the royals for Royal Ascot, travelling in a carriage with Princess Anne, her son Peter Phillips, and the King’s racing manager John Warren.
While Royal Ascot marked her first official public appearance, Lady Gabriella made a low-key appearance at Trooping the Colour last weekend, after being invited by the King.
She was seen watching the parade inside Buckingham Palace with family, including her brother, Lord Frederik Windsor and his wife, Sophie Winkleman.
Originally published as Royal Ascot: Prince William holds hands with Kate’s mum; jockey who rode Aussie horse wins again
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