King Charles and Queen Camilla dazzle on Day one of Royal Ascot

King Charles and Queen Camilla have spoken of the ‘delight’ of witnessing an Aussie winner as they dazzled on Day one of Britain’s most important horse racing festival. See the photos.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted to loud cheers as they graced Day one of the iconic British horse racing festival, Royal Ascot.

They also spoke of their “delight” witnessing last year’s Australian winner – Henry Dwyer’s mare Asfoora – in a message to racegoers as the sun shone brilliantly at the venue west of London.

Charles was accompanied by the Queen as they marked the 200th anniversary of the First Royal Procession, initiated by George IV.

The pair were photographed in a carriage procession, a key feature in the royal calendar, which took place from Windsor Castle to the racecourse.

Charles was dressed in a grey suit complete with a black top hat while Queen Camilla was elegant in a mint green ensemble. Picture: Getty Images

King Charles III waves to crowds. Picture: Getty Images

The British Monarch and the Queen Consort travelled in the first carriage, accompanied by Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud from Saudi Arabia’s Royal Family and Lady Sarah Keswick.

Charles was dressed in a grey suit complete with a black top hat while Queen Camilla was elegant in a mint green ensemble with a Dior coat and a Philip Treacy hat with diamonds and pearls.

Princess Anne, Princess Royal arrives on horse-drawn carriage. Picture: AFP

Anne, Princess Royal also arrived in the traditional carriage procession wearing a subtle green ensemble with a white hat.

In their message to racegoers, the King and Queen said: “This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first royal procession to Ascot racecourse from Windsor Castle in the reign of King George IV. This has become a familiar feature of the Royal Meeting ever since and a unique spectacle in the world of racing.”

“Last year we were delighted to witness an Australian winner of the first running of the King Charles III Stakes and look forward to seeing a number of top-quality international runners compete this week,” they added.

Queen Camilla and King Charles react as they watch the races on the first day of the Royal Ascot. Picture: AFP

King Charles III during a presentation of the King Charles III Stakes Trophy. Picture: Getty Images

Royal Ascot has strict dress codes and each Royal Ascot enclosure has its own fashion requirements.

Horse trainer Henry Dwyer said the nation’s hopes rested on his shoulders when Australian mare Asfoora attempts to defend the prestigious title, the King Charles III Stakes.

Horse trainer Henry Dwyer said the nation’s hopes rested on his shoulders when Australian mare Asfoora attempts to defend the prestigious title, the King Charles III Stakes. Picture: Nigel Howard / Nigel Howard Media

The six-year-old mare was victorious in the group 1 race at the one of world’s most elite racing carnivals in the world in 2024 and has spent the past week training at Newmarket in West Suffolk – the headquarters of British racing.

When Asfoora won the King Charles III Stakes in 2024 Dwyer said he had the privilege of meeting the King and Queen Camilla and had a “good chin wag” with them, describing it as a “great life experience”.

“We compared notes and patted ourselves on the back and all the rest of it, it was a great bit of fun,” Dwyer said.

“They were very lovely and incredibly relaxed, probably not what you expected of the King and Queen, they were very down to earth”.

Originally published as King Charles and Queen Camilla dazzle on Day one of Royal Ascot