Charles and Camilla attended Royal Ascot for the first time since ascending to the throne, paying a heartfelt homage to the Queen and her passion for horses.
The Royal couple visited the athletic event for the first time in their new roles, wishing racegoers success, and ushering in a new era for Ascot.
In a joint foreword for the official programme, they acknowledged Queen Elizabeth‘s “lifelong interest” in the racing event as they rushed onto the Berkshire course in the customary carriage parade.
The pair waved to the crowds who filled the grandstand on the first of five days of racing and were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Wellington in their carriage.
Behind them travelled the Princess Royal with Camilla’s younger sister Annabel Elliot, the Queen’s nephew Sir Ben Elliot, former co-chair of the Conservative Party knighted in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list, and his wife Lady Elliot, daughter of musician Steve Winwood.
The late Queen was a passionate racehorse breeder and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.
In memory of her commitment to the event the race – Platinum Jubilee Stakes- has been renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee stakes.
Before the carriage rides old footage from the Queen’s most memorable Royal Ascot moments was played on the big screens and was applauded by the crowds at the end.
Charles and his wife, who have taken on the late monarch’s thoroughbreds, will be carrying on her tradition and have entered a string of horses over the next five days.
The official programme featured Charles and Camilla’s intertwined cyphers on the cover and in their joint foreword said: ‘We are happy in the knowledge that this historic race meeting continues to be a key influence on the global racing and breeding industries.
‘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 24 winners.
‘We are sure that this exhibition will prompt many happy memories.’
They went on to say: ‘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.’