The Duchess of York, who divorced from Prince Andrew 22 years ago, could hardly contain her excitement as the Queen’s carriage pulled up at Ascot, waving ecstatically to the monarch to welcome her to the Parade Ring.
Fergie hasn’t been a member of the royal family for more than two decades, but she proved that she hasn’t forgotten how to curtsey as she bobbed in deference to the monarch.
Princess Beatrice also looked delighted to see her grandmother, waving cheerfully as the carriage procession arrived.
Fergie and Beatrice held hands as they curtsied to the Queen today on her arrival in the parade ring at Royal Ascot
The Queen was resplendent in lime green as she rode towards the parade ring in the traditional carriage procession
Beatrice looked smart in a pale grey dress by The Fold, while her mother was elegant in Roland Mouret
The Duchess and her daughter Beatrice chatted to fellow glamorous guests before the arrival of Her Majesty
The royal, 29, opted for a dress by The Fold teamed with a pink picture hat by Sarah Cant.
Meanwhile, her mother looked elegant in a dress by Roland Mouret teamed with a hat by Philip Tracey, a royal favourite.
Since splitting from Prince Andrew, the Duchess does not appear at public events with the rest of the royal family.
However, she’s welcomed back into the fold for Royal Ascot and this is the fourth year running that she’s attended.
Her Majesty looked on fine form as she prepared to enjoy Royal Ascot, one of her favourite events of the year
The monarch pulled up to the Parade Ring in the traditional carriage procession as fans snapped pictures on their phones
The Queen paused to chat to her racing manager John Warren and a jockey before enjoying the races. Her former daughter-in-law Sarah Ferguson was in attendance for the fourth year running, joined by her daughter Beatrice
Despite being long divorced from Andrew, the pair remain famously close and Fergie has previously spoken about how they’ve ‘never really left each other’.
The Queen has visisted Royal Ascot every year since she ascended the throne in 1952, and it’s one of the highlights of her calendar.
Throughout the week she’s been accompanied by Charles and Camilla, Harry and Meghan, Sophie and Edward, Princess Anne and Peter and Autumn Phillips.
However, new mothers Kate and Zara are staying away this year as they remain at home with their recent additions to their families.
All week punters have been placing novelty bets on the colour of the Queen’s hat and today they weren’t disappointed when she turned out in green, the clear favourite.
Ladbrokes now predicts she will end the week tomorrow with a pink hat, making it the 2/1 favourite. A blue hat is next best at 4/1, with purple priced at 5/1.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: ‘When it comes to predicting the colour of the Queen’s hat, punters have been spot on.
‘The gamble on green landed today so we hope for some respite tomorrow. The early money suggests a pink ensemble will be chosen to end the week.’