The Queen wrapped up in a raincoat and headscarf before taking in the atmosphere at one of her favourite equestrian events of the year in the private grounds of Windsor Castle this morning.
Flanked by aides, the 93-year-old monarch could be seen beaming with joy as she watched the action at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire on Saturday, just days after the arrival of her eighth great-grandchild.
She ditched her formal attire and braced herself for the threat of rain in a collared khaki trench-coat, matching gloves and a green silk headscarf with delicate patterns on it.
The monarch drove herself to the event in her black Range Rover and mingled with other spectators while taking in the action.
Her husband Prince Philip, 97, arrived in the passenger seat after giving up his driving licence earlier this year following a collision with another car near the Sandringham estate that saw his Land Rover overturned.
The Queen was all smiles as she made her way to the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning,wrapped up in a raincoat and headscarf
The annual show is just a short distance from Windsor Castle and the monarch drove herself to the event in her black Range Rover
Prince Philip arrived later on, but was reduced to the passenger seat after giving up his driving licence earlier this year
He was driven down to join the Queen mid-morning. In January, he overturned his Range Rover after crashing into another car near the Sandringham estate
Flanked by aides, the 93-year-old monarch took shelter and watched on as the horses galloped around the private grounds of Windsor Castle
She couldn’t wipe the smile from her face as the horses galloped close to the wooden canopy she was using to keep dry
The Queen beamed with joy as she watched one of her favourite equestrian events of the year in the private grounds of Windsor Castle this morning
The annual equestrian spectacular sees competitors taking part in a range of events from show jumping to dressage, along with displays from The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and DAKS Pony Club.
The Queen didn’t let a bit of rainfall dampen her spirits, and instead took shelter underneath a wooden hut to take in the action.
The five-day event is now in its 76th year and attracts well-heeled visitors from all over the world.
It sees competitors taking part in a range of events from show jumping to dressage, along with displays from The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and DAKS Pony Club – and is the only occasion on which members of the public are able to enjoy the palace grounds.
Yesterday the monarch looked in great spirits as she entertained the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, alongside her son Prince Andrew.
The Queen was kept dry and didn’t let a bit of rain dampen her spirit as she mingled with others under a wooden canopy
She smiles and chats with others while taking in the action. She’s believed to have attended the show every single year since it began as a wartime fundraising event back in 1943
The monarch came prepared for the weather in a collared green trench-coat and one of her matching signature headscarves
The Queen took a second to used one of her signature headscarves and wipe something from her eye during the show
The two royal families enjoy a warm relationship, and King Hamad is a regular fixture at the event, where Saturday’s King Cup is named after him.
He shares a passion for all things equestrian with the Queen, and gave her two prized Arabian horses from his stables as a present in 2013, with her returning the favour with the gift of one of her own horses in 2017.
Bahrain and Britain’s royal families get along well and have spent time together in the past. At the end of March the Duke of York, Sarah Ferguson and their eldest daughter Beatrice went to the Grand Prix in Bahrain.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of York and the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, carefully watched the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this afternoon
Prince Andrew and the King of Bahrain, pictured together, were spotted enjoying themselves during the horse show today
The Queen, the King of Bahrain and the Duke of York shared a laugh while watching the endurance phase of the trials today. The two royal families enjoy a warm relationship and Saturday’s King Cup is named after Hamad
Queen Elizabeth, pictured with the King of Bahrain, changed into a dark coat with pearl buttons for the afternoon’s events
The family were put up by the Crown Prince of Bahrain at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, where suites start at £900 a night, from Friday. They also spent an all-expenses-paid VIP day at the race.
Also in attendance at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today was Princess Anne, who looked smart in a grey skirt suit, teamed with a turquoise silk shirt and a gold horse brooch.
Last year, the event fell exactly a week before the royal residence hosted the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
In the driving seat! The Queen drove herself in her Land Rover as she arrived at one of her favourite events of the year, the Royal Windsor Horse Show
The Queen is believed to have attended every single year since it began as a wartime fundraising event back in 1943.
The event is intrinsically linked with the royal family; both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh competed at it during their younger years, with Prince Philip entering the Carriage Driving at Royal Windsor Horse Show for 30 years, winning it just once in 1982.
In more recent years, the Queen has watched many of her own horses take part in the showing class competitions.