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Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
A royally good day out! Princess Eugenie and an affectionate King Charles lead the glamorous royals having fun in the sun at Ascot
Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie led the glamorous royals turning out in force for the fourth day of Royal Ascot on Friday. The cousins looked delighted to see one another as they shared a warm embrace after arriving at the Berkshire racecourse for the prestigious five-day festival. Zara, 44, the daughter of Princess Anne, looked effortlessly elegant in a light blue suit teamed with a matching blouse and a statement hat featuring an eye-catching white bow. Eugenie, 35, appeared equally chic in a stylish wide-brimmed hat and flattering dress featuring a billowing white skirt and a square-shouldered brown top. The daughter of Prince Andrew was joined at the racing meet by her mother, Sarah Ferguson, who opted for a trendy monochrome polka dot frock. King Charles, 76, arrived at Ascot alongside Queen Camilla, 77, after the pair travelled past packed stands on the racecourse as part of the traditional carriage procession. The royal procession is celebrating its 200th anniversary, a tradition which began during the reign of George IV in 1825 when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington. His Majesty's appearance today comes after Princess of Wales sparked concern as she pulled out of attending the festival on Wednesday, apparently at the last minute. But royal sources insisted there was nothing to worry about and that it was simply a case of crossed wires. Aides also stressed that Catherine was continuing to 'balance her return to public life' following her cancer diagnosis last year, after which she made clear that she would resume her duties with a slow and measured approach. The mini-drama came as her husband, Prince William, handed out the prize for the Prince of Wales stakes at the racecourse in Berkshire. Executives at Ascot had expected the princess to join him, travelling down in the carriage procession from Windsor Castle with King Charles and Queen Camilla. At 12pm they issued the procession list for the day, featuring the Prince and Princess of Wales in the second carriage after the King and Queen. But 22 minutes later, guidance was issued which said Catherine would not be attending. It is understood an 'inaccurate version' of the list was 'issued in error'. An updated list was circulated and Lord Soames – a good friend of the King – lost his seat to make way for William in the first carriage with Charles and Camilla. They were also joined by Saudi's Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud. Sources stressed there was 'no cause for alarm' and Catherine was following guidance palace aides have always given: that she would 'balance her return to public duties', following appearances at Trooping the Colour on Saturday and Monday's Order of the Garter service. They added that she was 'disappointed' not to attend but 'has to find the right balance'. Catherine, 43, had abdominal surgery last January, after which she was told cancer had been present, forcing her to undergo preventive chemotherapy. At the beginning of this year she revealed she was in remission and would begin a slow and measured return to royal life. While Catherine was not present at Ascot, Charles and Camilla were there for the second day running and plan to attend all week. Her Majesty wore an emerald crepe silk dress by Anna Valentine, with a matching hat by Philip Treacy and an emerald and diamond drop brooch which belonged to Queen Elizabeth. The Princess of Wales's mother Carole Middleton also attended, alongside her daughter-in-law Alizee Thevenet, the wife of Kate's brother James Middleton. The King hosted Lady Sarah Chatto, the daughter of his late aunt Princess Margaret and a favourite of the late Queen. She was joined on the fourth carriage by her artist husband Daniel Chatto. Also in the procession were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, who sat in the second carriage. The royal procession is celebrating its 200th anniversary, a tradition begun in 1825 when George IV was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington. The King and his wife have continued Queen Elizabeth's close association with the Berkshire race meet, but they had no luck when their horse Reaching High was beaten in the Ascot Stakes. The late Queen was a passionate owner of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Royal's special bond with luxury hideaway Birkhall beloved by King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth
His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, traditionally spent Yuletide at Sandringham, remaining on the Norfolk estate until February to mark the death of her father, King George VI, who died on February 6, 1952. But King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this year, chose to spend Hogmanay at Birkhall, their favourite Royal residence. It was at the Scottish lodge, set on the Balmoral Estate, that the couple was infamously snapped in 1990 after the then Prince of Wales injured his back during a polo match – Princess Diana was down in London with William and Harry. It was where Prince Charles proposed to Camilla Parker Bowles: The couple announced their engagement on February 10, 2005, after Charles got down on one knee. 'I'm just coming down to Earth,' Camilla said. It was there that the couple spent their honeymoon, after getting married in Windsor on April 9, 2005, and it was there that the couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this year after their four-day state visit to Italy. But King Charles III is not the only Royal to have a special bond with Birkhall: His parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Kent, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh also honeymooned there. And the Scottish Lodge isn't just a luxurious love nest: It has been at the centre of some of the most explosive moments in Royal history. Now the Channel 5 documentary Birkhall: A Private Royal Residence, which airs tomorrow (Saturday), reveals the story of the King and Queen's favourite Royal residence. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward, Editor in Chief of Majesty magazine, told the programme: 'Charles loves it there, Birkhall is definitely his favourite home.' Former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond added: 'I think it's one of his favourite places to be with Camilla, curled up on a settee - well probably she curls up, he probably doesn't curl up - with a glass of whisky by a log fire.' Birkhall sits deep within the Balmoral estate, just six miles from the Firm's beloved Balmoral Castle. It's an 18th-century stone farmhouse set in the shadow of the mountain Lochnagar. With just three floors, it is small for a royal palace – more 'beloved family home' than 'regal royal residence'. But it's been a place for the Royals to escape to for decades. Built in 1715 by Captain Charles Gordon of Abergeldie and his wife Rachel, the secluded house in the Highlands was discovered by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, in 1848 when he took the lease on the Balmoral estate. He thought Birkhall would make the perfect country retreat for his eldest son, Bertie, the future King Edward VII but he stayed there only once finding it too small and pokey. Historian and broadcaster Wesley Kerr said: 'It's a sweet idea that it was for the Prince of Wales, but it was never going to be good enough for him.' On the other hand, Victoria and Albert loved the house and turned it into the equivalent of a Victorian Airbnb for their friends and family. However, it was not until the 1930s that the Scottish Highlands became the Royal's favoured holiday destination – George VI and the Queen Mother, then Duke and Duchess of York, chose Birkhall for their annual summer vacation. Both Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret loved the house, which the future Queen described as 'the nicest place in the world' and would cycle into the local village of Ballater to buy sweets. The two sisters, then aged 13 and nine, spent the first four months of World War II at Birkhall, after being evacuated under Operation Pied Piper. When George VI died in 1952, the Queen Mother retreated to Birkhall until Sir Winston Churchill drove over to Birkhall for a private visit and persuaded her to resume public life. 'That meeting is very significant,' adds Kerr, 'and actually we got another 50 years of public service out of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.' The Queen Mum immediately drew up plans to renovate the house, installing a new wing with four new bedrooms and bathrooms, and French windows opening up onto the gardens. She even cheekily put eight carriage and grandfather clocks in the dining room, to wind up guests as they all chimed at different times. 'This apparently used to send her guests crazy because you just get into a conversation,' said Bond. 'Then ding, ding, ding, ding, all over the place. But I think she thoroughly enjoyed her guests' discomfort.' Her sense of humour was also displayed when the architects, led by Arthur Penn, forgot to put a lavatory on the downstairs floor: She held an official opening of the water closet, which was fitted subsequently under the stairs. 'The room was filled with flowers and the Queen Mother pulled the chain,' said Kerr. 'And she said: 'I declare this room Arthur's seat.' 'Arthur's Seat, of course, is a mountain in Scotland, but Arthur Penn had come up with the design.' By the mid-1950s, Birkhall was one of the main stops on the Queen Mother's annual Scottish tour. She embraced country living with gusto and was a keen fly fisher into her eighties. She loved the card game Racing Demon – as long as she won. When the Duke of Atholl demanded a recount, he was never invited again. 'He decided I'm really going to go for this,' explained Seward. 'When it seemed that the Queen mother had won and he knew that he'd won, he demanded a recount. 'Then she lost, and she never invited him back again.' 'Then she lost, and she never invited him back again.' One of the Queen Mother's favourite guests was her grandson, Prince Charles, who was the only person allowed to sleep in George VI's bedroom. 'She taught him about the finer things of life,' said Seward, 'opera, music, painting, drawing. Once he even dreamt that he ran away from Gordonstoun to join Granny. 'At Birkhall, King George's bedroom was on the ground floor, and it was kept as he left it. 'The only person who was ever allowed to sleep in there was Prince Charles. And that was a special honour given to him by his grandmother.' When Charles married Princess Diana, Birkhall became a favourite holiday haunt for Princes William and Harry. But it soon became a place she associated with Camilla. In 1990, nine years into his marriage, he recuperated at Birkhall after he was forced to cancel his engagements after injuring his back in a polo accident. But, instead of inviting his wife and sons to be with him, he chose Camilla. 'He was photographed leaving Birkhall with Camilla,' said Princess Diana's Royal Protection Officer Ken Wharf. 'That was the scandal.' After the Queen Mother died at Royal Lodge, Windsor, on March 30, 2002, Charles inherited Birkhall. It soon became a special place for him and Camilla. 'I think when they land at Birkhall, it's a case of really? Phew! Here we are' added Bond. 'We're going to enjoy one another's company. 'We're going to walk, and we're going to sit, and we're going to read like and have a little drink, and we're going to just be together. And I think it is one of their very favourite places to be.'
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside Royal Ascot: A celebration of British heritage, sport and style, writes REBEKAH ABSALOM
There's nothing quite like the rhythmic thunder of hooves racing down the turf. The charge of horses, glimpsed between top hats and champagne flutes, is nothing short of electrifying. Indeed, I'm talking about Royal Ascot, which has returned in full splendour for 2025. After first experiencing the magic of the event last summer, I couldn't resist returning this year - and it proved every bit as dazzling as the last. Firmly anchored as a jewel of the British summer season, Ascot brings together regal ceremony, daring fashion and world-class racing. Ascot's connection to the Crown dates back to 1711. Queen Anne was out riding near Windsor when she stopped to inspect a stretch of open land, which she remarked was 'ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch'. Ascot Racecourse was born that year and the monarchy has remained at its core ever since. The late Queen Elizabeth II, a lifelong equestrian, was its most dedicated patron, attending nearly every year of her reign. Today, the baton has been passed to King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who continue the tradition with the daily Royal Procession - an eagerly awaited moment where the Royal Family arrives in horse-drawn carriages along the track and into the Parade Ring. Surrounded by fellow racegoers dressed in every imaginable colour, I found myself once again swept up in the excitement. Cheers rippled through the crowd as King Charles, Queen Camilla and Princess Anne passed by in their carriages, followed by Peter Phillips and his partner, Harriet Sperling, radiating elegance in cream tweed ensemble by Suzannah London. I'm convinced the King smiled at me - perhaps he remembered me from our previous 'meetings' (Ascot last year; Sandringham Flower Show in 2022)? Third time's the charm. Excitement soared further with the Queen Anne Stakes, the opening race of the day, which delivered both drama and delight. My husband Tim, attending with no previous racing experience, confidently backed Docklands at 14-1. Against the odds, the horse edged out favourite Rosallion by a nose in a heart-pounding photo finish, even after jockey Mark Zahra lost his whip in the final strides. Cue wild celebration. But Royal Ascot is about far more than just racing. There's a sense of theatre at every turn - from the regimental march of the Band of the Coldstream Guards to the curated culinary offerings across the enclosures. Moët & Chandon has been the official champagne partner since 2019, a fitting match given the brand's link to the sport. In 1908, two racehorses named Moët and Chandon - owned by the House's London representative, Alfred Simon - caused a stir on the UK racing circuit. More than a century later, the association lives on, with no shortage of bars ready to pour a glass. Rebekah experienced the Queen Anne Enclosure at Royal Ascot with her husband Tim For lunch, we had pre-ordered a Fortnum & Mason picnic hamper through the official Ascot website. A variety of options were available, catering to both meat lovers and vegetarians. Packed in a smart branded cool bag, our spread featured a smoked trout and caper starter, coronation chicken main, sides of potato salad and summer slaw, a cheese platter and botanical berry jelly - accompanied by our choice of red or white wine. We devoured it all from a prime trackside spot in the Queen Anne Enclosure, complete with a private bar and uninterrupted views. Elsewhere, concession stalls offered everything from mac 'n' cheese and fish and chips to sweet and savoury crêpes. There were also some more upmarket restaurants, specialising in British cuisine, gourmet burgers and afternoon tea. Ascot's enclosures each offer a distinct experience. Queen Anne, where we were based, is the premium public option, with access to the Grandstand and Parade Ring, as well as singalongs around the Bandstand. The Village Enclosure, set within the track, offers a relaxed festival atmosphere with a post-racing concert until 9pm. For those after a more casual day out, the Windsor Enclosure welcomes homemade picnics and has no formal dress code. At the pinnacle sits the Royal Enclosure - invitation-only, of course - originally reserved for the friends of King George IV. To this day, it remains a symbol of exclusivity and tradition, where royalty mingles with diplomats, aristocrats and notable figures from around the world. For lunch, Rebekah had pre-ordered a Fortnum & Mason picnic hamper through the official Ascot website. Packed in a smart branded cool bag, the spread featured a smoked trout and caper starter, coronation chicken main, sides of potato salad and summer slaw, a cheese platter and botanical berry jelly - accompanied by our choice of red or white wine Ascot is, without question, a fashion spectacle like no other. This year's official lookbook, released in April under the artistic direction of British designer Daniel Fletcher, offered a wealth of style inspiration. It marked Fletcher's second year leading the creative vision, following his historic appointment as Ascot's first-ever creative director in its 300-year history. I chose the pink Liliana dress from Samantha Cameron's brand Cefinn, accessorised with a red M&S crossbody bag and a comfortable pair of slingback shoes by Steve Madden - a must, as I'm hopeless in heels. Having recently interviewed renowned milliner Jess Collett - best known for the exquisite headpieces worn by the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte at King Charles' coronation - I was delighted to top off my outfit with her Rita boater hat. Jess has collaborated with Cefinn on a capsule collection of hats designed to complement the brand's clothing line. The brilliance of the partnership lies in its simplicity: the styling is already done for you - just select your favourites and you're ready to go. Tim, on the other hand, took a more relaxed approach. He wore his reliable charcoal grey herringbone suit from Roderick Charles, teamed with a Liberty tie I gave him when we were dating, and classic Loake Oxford shoes. King Charles and Queen Camilla mingle with diplomats, aristocrats and notable figures in the Parade Ring The dress code remains a key part of the experience. The Royal Enclosure's rules are famously strict: modest-length dresses, straps of at least one inch and hats - not fascinators - are compulsory. The Queen Anne Enclosure offers slightly more flexibility, requiring a hat, headpiece or fascinator, and formal daywear. This year, florals and sculptural headpieces stole the show with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall paving the way. British labels, such as Suzannah, Beulah, ME+EM and LK Bennett - all royal favourites - were seen in abundance. Men, meanwhile, embraced the opportunity to don morning suits. Royal Ascot continues to captivate not only because of its royal links, but because it represents something quintessentially British. It's a week when the country dresses up, slows down and comes together - celebrating heritage through pageantry, sport and style. And, on occasion, it's where a racing novice picks the winner. Shop my outfit Cefinn Liliana Maxi Dress £370 Shop
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How drones are terrorising England's prettiest village: They film children in gardens, locals in the bath and even try to get in to people's houses. Now furious residents say: 'It's like living in North Korea!'
Surely one of the most bizarre incidents in movie history took place during the shooting of the 1967 film Doctor Dolittle in the chocolate-box village of Castle Combe in Wiltshire, just eight miles from Queen Camilla 's country bolthole in nearby Lacock. With its honey-coloured Cotswold cottages strung out along the single street featured on many a postcard, calendar and jigsaw puzzle, Castle Combe is often dubbed 'the prettiest village in England'.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Royal Ascot: Catherine, Princess of Wales, cancels at last minute
June 19 (UPI) -- The Princess of Wales unexpectedly pulled out of attending Royal Ascot at the last minute, with officials saying it was related to her recovery from cancer. Kate Middleton skipped the Royal Family's traditional excursion to the event 30 miles southwest of London on Wednesday, which is a key fixture in the country's horse racing calendar. The decision came amid efforts to strike a balance as she eases back into her public role as the wife of Prince William, Kensington Palace said. An official told The New York Times she was "disappointed" not to be able to attend, adding that she needed to find the "right balance" in the level of public engagements she takes on. The decision was very likely unplanned. Two hours before a royal procession along the Straight Mile that kicks off the event was to take place, she was still listed in the official program as being in the second carriage with husband Prince William, behind the king and queen. In the end, William arrived from Windsor in his father's carriage along with Queen Camilla and Prince Saud bin Khalid Al Saud, a member of Saudi Arabia's Royal Family. It was the 200th anniversary of the procession, which was begun by King George IV in 1825. On that occasion, the Duke of Wellington rode along in George's carriage. Carole Middleton, Kate's mother, did attend the event. The princess has been gradually returning to her public duties after announcing she was in remission in January, with her most recent appearance at an Order of the Royal Garter service in Windsor, where she was seen smiling and chatting. Two days before that, on Saturday, she attended the Trooping of the Color in London, a military parade celebrating the monarch's official birthday. It was the second consecutive year the princess had missed Royal Ascot. She was unable to attend in 2024 as it came three months after she announced she had been diagnosed with cancer in March. However, The New York Times speculated that her absence on Wednesday may have had nothing to do with her recovery, but was related instead to the event itself or the weather. Wednesday was one of the hottest days of the year with temperatures in the mid-80s F. King Charles is a fellow cancer survivor, receiving his diagnosis in February 2024, three weeks after he was hospitalized for treatment for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital where his daughter-in-law was recovering from major abdominal surgery that would take months to heal. The late Queen Elizabeth II, somewhat of a racing fanatic, was closely linked with Royal Ascot. Race horses she owned or bred won more than 20 titles at the world-famous track over the course of her seven decades on the throne.
