Prince Harry and Meghan Markle join the Queen at Royal Ascot

Meghan stole the show in a stunning monochrome ensemble as the royals turned out in force for the first day of Royal Ascot.

Meghan, 36, joined her husband Prince Harry, 33, and his grandmother the Queen, 92, for the traditional carriage procession that signals the start of the five-day racing spectacle in Berkshire.    

She rode in carriage alongside the Countess of Wessex as she made her first ever appearance at Ascot this morning. 

The Duchess opted for another ensemble by her wedding designer Givenchy, along with a co-ordinating fascinator by Philip Treacy.

Meghan stole the show in a stunning monochrome ensemble as the royals turned out in force for the first day of Royal Ascot

Newlyweds The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined Prince Edward and Sophie in their carriage during the royal procession  

Newlyweds The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined Prince Edward and Sophie in their carriage during the royal procession  

The Duchess of Sussex was seen leaving for her first ever appearance at Ascot, alongside Prince Harry 

The Duchess of Sussex was seen leaving for her first ever appearance at Ascot, alongside Prince Harry 

The Queen opted for a vibrant yellow ensemble as she left for Ascot with daughter Princess Anne 

The Queen opted for a vibrant yellow ensemble as she left for Ascot with daughter Princess Anne 

The Queen meanwhile wore a bright yellow ensemble as she arrived at Ascot with daughter Princess Anne.  

The monarch’s granddaughters, Princess Beatrice, 29, and Princess Eugenie, 28, followed in a separate carriage. 

The royal arrival came just minutes after it was revealed that Zara and Mike Tindall had welcomed their second child, a baby girl, making the Queen a great-grandmother for the seventh time. 

Royal Ascot – the jewel in the crown of the racing season – kicked off this morning in a burst of bright colours, floral frocks and flamboyant hats.  

Princess Beatrice looked elegant in a dress by Claire Mischevani and hat by Juliette Botterill. She paired the ensemble with a pair of shoes with high street giant Kurt Geiger.

Princess Eugenie stepped out in a dress by Osman, hat by Emily London and shoes by Valentino.   

Model Kelly Brook led the style stakes in a playful red and white England World Cup themed hat, adorned with a miniature Bobby Moore. She paired the eye-catching creation with a figure-hugging red dress with Bardot-style neckline. 

Other famous faces included presenters Charlotte Hawkins, who wore a dress by Suzannah, and Kate Garraway, who looked stylish in a white and blush pink jumpsuit by Phase Eight. 

Floral print, modest hemlines and eye-catching hats were the order of the day for many, while a more relaxed dress code for the Windsor enclosure means strapless dresses were on show for the first time. 

However eagle-eyed organisers were on the look out for men daring to step in without socks – an increasingly popular trend that has been banned from this year’s event. 

Cheers! Racegoers started the celebrations early as they toasted to the start of the racing festival with glasses of bubbles

Cheers! Racegoers started the celebrations early as they toasted to the start of the racing festival with glasses of bubbles

Floral fantasies: An enormous bloom was the perfect finishing touch to this look

Making a statement in hot pink

Floral fantasies: An enormous bloom was the perfect finishing touch to this look. Making a statement in hot pink, right 

Rainbow dream: Multi-coloured prints and retro hairstyles gave this group of women a playful 1940s feel

Rainbow dream: Multi-coloured prints and retro hairstyles gave this group of women a playful 1940s feel

Settling in: Buckets of sparking wine, crates of beer and bottles of spirits were on the go as racegoers arrived on Tuesday

Settling in: Buckets of sparking wine, crates of beer and bottles of spirits were on the go as racegoers arrived on Tuesday

Racegoers faced breathalyser tests and a team of sniffer dogs at the gates as organisers seek to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

There will also be a crackdown on beer sales and an increased stewarding presence.

An ugly brawl broke out at a Saturday race meeting at the track in May, putting a spotlight on the increasing use of recreational drugs and excessive drinking at racecourses.  

Sniffer dogs were also seen at work in the parade ring before the action got underway.



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