Queen Elizabeth II Makes Appearance at Royal Ascot After Missing Last Year’s Meet

The Queen made a stunning appearance at the Royal Ascot on Saturday, looking resplendent in green as she braved the grey weather.

Her Majesty, who is 95 years old, beamed as she arrived at the parade ring by car, rather than the traditional carriage procession.

The large crowd erupted in claps and cheers as they got the first glimpse of Her Majesty as the national anthem played.

Royal fans will no doubt be delighted to see the monarch at the five-day event.

The Queen is usually a regular at Royal Ascot, but this year she has been a no-show since it began on Tuesday.

She was also forced to miss last year's meet as it was held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The monarch's horses Reach for the Moon, Tactical, Light Refrain, and King's Linn are all set to run during the afternoon.

An announcement earlier on Saturday said the Head of State would make an appearance at 2 pm.

The Queen smiled and waved as she arrived at the parade ring, and the large crowd erupted in claps and cheers as they caught the first glimpse of Her Majesty.

Other Royals including Zara and Mike Tindall, Princess Anne, and the Countess of Wessex have already made appearances at this year's Royal Ascot.

Speaking on Tuesday, the Queen's Racing Manager said she hoped to attend later in the week.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today program, “Obviously the Queen would love to attend.

As you know Shusha's fanatic about racing, watching racing and breeding horses, and has been going to Ascot all of her adult life.

So it's a shame to miss an event.

The plan at the moment is to see how it goes towards the latter part of the week and if the Queen's able to come because Shusha's got runners, then, fingers crossed, it will happen.”

Camilla also opened up on the Monarch's lifelong interest in thoroughbreds in an interview with ITV Racing earlier this week.

The Duchess of Cornwall said, “Well I think this is her passion in life and she loves it.

And you can tell how much she loves it.

She could tell you every horse Shusha's bred and owned from the very beginning.

She doesn't forget anything.

I can hardly remember what I bred a year ago but Shusha's encyclopedic about her knowledge.”

Racegoers were welcomed back to the meet for the first time since the pandemic began.