Peter Leads Royal Ascot Carriage Procession with Prince Charles and Camilla

The first carriage procession at Royal Ascot since 2019 took place with Peter Phillips, the Queen's eldest grandchild, leading the spectacle from the first carriage.

The procession was shared with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Peter, who is often described as the Queen's favourite grandchild, wore a dark grey suit and a top hat, which matched the one worn by his uncle, the Prince of Wales.

Princess Anne, Peter's mother, rode in the second carriage with Lord de Morley, the Queen's Master of the Horse, William Nunnerley, and Caroline Nunnerley, one of Anne's ladies-in-waiting.

Meanwhile, the third carriage was occupied by four cousins of Her Majesty, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

The fourth carriage included the Earl and Countess of Hopeton, Tom Hopper, and Princess Diana's goddaughter Lady Alexandra Hopper.

The procession passed in front of the racecourse's parade ring, where racegoers had been gathering since noon.

Among the members of the firm also in attendance were Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice, and her husband Eduardo Mapelli-Mozzi.

Beatrice, a major fan of Ascot, is expected to return to the racecourse on more than one occasion over the next few days.

This means that her fans will have the chance to see her and Eduardo parading through the racecourse on a carriage.

It is worth noting that the Queen did not attend the races on this day.

However, royal sources said she is keen to watch some of her runners hitting the racecourse this week, leading to think she may step out of her residence over the coming days.