Heir he is! King Charles leads royal arrivals at Ascot for second day of the festival

King Charles led the royal arrivals at Ascot today as he arrived alongside Queen Camilla for a second day of festivities. 

His Majesty opted for a classic charcoal morning suit with a purple tie as he joined members of his family for the second day of the event considered the jewel in the crown of the racing calendar.

Camilla opted for a Anna Valentine pink dress coat for the second day, which appeared to be the same outfit she wore to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex‘s wedding in 2017.

Prince Edward and the Duchess of Edinburgh followed the King and Queen in a second procession, while Prince Micheal and Princess Micheal of Kent were also in attendance. 

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh also opted for a crisp white look and large brimmed hat.

Meanwhile, keen equestrian Zara Tindall and her rugby pro husband Mike were also in the procession, with the Olympian daughter of Princess Anne opting for a navy blue look with a green hat.

King Charles led the royal arrivals at Ascot today as he arrived alongside Queen Camilla for a second day of festivities

Camilla opted for a pink dress coat for the second day, which appeared to be very similar to the outfit worn to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding

The Duchess of Edinburgh also opted for a crisp white look and large brimmed hat

Meanwhile, keen equestrian Zara Tindall and her rugby pro husband Mike were also in the procession, with Zara opting for a navy blue look

The king was joined in a carriage by The Earl & Countess of Halifax, who is Camilla’s former sister-in-law through her first marriage to Richard Parker Bowles. 

Lord Soames of Fletching, Charles’s former Equerry and Lady Sarah Keswick, a friend of Camilla joined Sophie and Edward.

William and Maureen Haggas, a horse trainer,  joined Zara and Mike in the third carriage.

The procession was finished out by Lady Jane Spencer-Churchill, a friend of the Queen’s, Sir Michael Stoute, a horse trainer, and Lord Andrew & Lady Madeleine Lloyd Webber.

Meanwhile, Princess Anne decided to skip the procession, but attended the day in a Tiffany blue gown and white jacket.

Lord Soames of Fletching, Charles’s Former Equerry and Lady Sarah Keswick, a friend of Camilla joined Sophie and Edward

Camilla seemed to repeat the outfit she wore to Harry and Meghan’s wedding – but did pick a new hat

Charles wore his signature grey suit and colourful tie for the appearance

As the festivities continued for its second day in the baking summer sunshine, partying racegoers looked merry as they celebrated for a second day.

The opening of Royal Ascot 2023 saw plenty of royals descend on the racecourse to celebrate King Charles’s first event as monarch.

Included in the royal line-up was King Charles and Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Zara and Mike Tindall, and Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

Keen racegoers brought glamour to Berkshire once more this morning as they arrived at the second day of Royal Ascot 2023. 

Stylish ladies were spotted walking into the racecourse ahead of another day of nail-biting races and plenty of partying.

Hats off! Charles greeted crowds as he arrived for day two of the event

Legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Weber had a place in the royal procession

Mike Tindall also travelled alongside wife Zara on the way to the event

Camilla looked ready for summer in a pink silk marocain asymmetrical coat dress

Princess Anne opted for a Tiffany blue outfit and white jacket with a wide brimmed hat

Andrew Parker Bowles, the first husband of Queen Camilla, also attended the race day

The glamorous and colourful scenes at the beginning of day two come after hilarious antics captured last night as the opening day of the festival came to a close.

Among the scenes of revellers who were heading home after a day of partying were savvy women who had ditched their high heels in favour of sensible flat shoes to travel home in, as well as a gentleman who had picked up some snacks to tide him over for the evening.

In this year’s pamphlet, the newly-crowned King and Queen took the opportunity to write a special message to guests.

They wrote: ‘We are delighted to welcome you to Royal Ascot in this, the year of our Coronation. 

‘Five days oh highly competitive racing will again be watched and enjoyed by millions, both here and abroad.

‘We are happy in the knowledge that this historic race meeting continues to be a key influence on the global racing and breeding industries.

Meanwhile, Princess Anne decided to skip the procession, but attended the day in a Tiffany blue gown and white jacket

Zara looked gorgeous in navy with a green hat

Zara looked delighted as she rode in the carriage

Zara looked picture perfect in purple 

‘The Royal Meeting always played a central role in Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s calendar and the naming of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes will be a most appropriate way to mark this lifelong interest. 

‘A photographic exhibition in the Grandstand will also celebrate The late Queen’s close association with Royal Ascot, including images of some of her twenty four winners. 

‘We are sure his exhibition will prompt many happy memories.

‘As improving sustainability is crucial to all events and businesses, we were pleased to hear that the Village Enclosure at Ascot will be net carbon zero this year and that the racecourse is making renewed efforts to minimalise waste.

‘Finally, we wish the very best of good fortune to all the owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys and hardworking stable staff with runners this week.

‘It is a huge and rare achievement to have a runner at Royal Ascot and we very much hope that you all enjoy the experience.’ 

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were among the royals at the Berkshire racecourse this afternoon

The Prince and Princess walked arm-in-arm, with Prince Michael donning a three-piece suit and the Princess in a lilac two-piece

This year, organisers of the race have paid tribute to Royal Ascot’s ‘biggest fan’, Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last September.

During her 70-year reign, Her late Majesty attended almost every single Royal Ascot festival, with the exception of last year.

This year, organisers have displayed a heartwarming collection of photos of the Queen visiting Ascot over the years. 

They include a black-and-white photo of the royal riding on the tracks in 1960 when she was 34-years-old. 

The mother-of-four was pictured with a headscarf and riding boots on on as hwe horse galloped along the track.

The Queen was taking part in an unofficial race with others members of her royal party and ended up finishing fourth. 

What’s more, the organisers also selecting a photograph of the Queen beaming at Ladies Day in 2013. 

The event turned out to be one of the Queen’s most successful Ascots as her horse Estimate won the Gold Cup – making her the first monarch in 200 years to scoop the prize.

The late royal was pictured beaming at her trophy, which was presented to her by her son Prince Andrew. 

The Queen was dressed in one of her signature coat dresses in a pretty shade of purple. 

Underneath her jacket, the monarch wore a pretty floral dress – which perfectly complimented the flowers on her hat. 

In the image, the Queen is seen wearing a three-strand pearl necklace – which she also wore to her final ever Ascot in June 2021.