Royal Ascot 2012: Days 1 and 2

  June 20, 2012 at 8:09 pm by

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Royal Ascot time has come, which means the unusual hats, interesting outfits and of course, Royal attendance. Her Majesty attends the races not only as a keen watcher; she also has a very practical interest. She has in fact enjoyed 63 Ascot wins so far, with 20 of her horses winning at Royal Ascot. The most recent victory was back in 2008, when Free Agent won in The Chesham Stakes.

This year, one of the Queen’s horses has already made a good start; Carlton House came second in the Prince of Wales stake, losing to the favourite So You Think just moments from the finish.

DAY 1

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As part of a tradition that goes back to 1711, when Queen Anne founded the Royal Ascot, Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Prince Philip, arrived in the horse-drawn royal carriage, leading a procession from Windsor Castle to the Berkshire race course. Despite his recent health problems, the Duke of Edinburgh looked happy and relaxed. The royal carriage procession was greeted by cheers and applause, and patriotic shouts of “God Save The Queen”.

As usual, extravagant hats were everywhere to be seen, with some of the most memorable ones including a purple crown hat, and a cherry fascinator. The royal ladies were far more conservative and elegant. Her Majesty’s choice of hat colour is always the subject of frenzied betting, and those who put money on blue were in luck.

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The Queen wore a powder blue dress and coat by Stewart Parvin with matching hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, her usual pearl earrings, necklace and the fabulous Brazilian Aquamarine brooch. The Duchess of Cornwall, who arrived in the second carriage with the Prince of Wales, looked elegant in cream and ivory colours, wearing Anna Valentine dress and coat, a Philip Treacy hat, and Jimmy Choo shoes – the ensemble she had worn for the Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Princess Anne looked wonderful in teal green suit with matching hat, white bag and shoes.  The youngest royal in attendance, Princess Eugenie, chose a teal dress with black lace detailing.

DAY 2

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The royal procession arrived as the national anthem rang out across Ascot; the thousands that had gathered gave the Monarch three cheers entered the ground. The royals in attendance today included the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, and the Countess of Wessex. Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Princess Haya of Jordan were also there.

Queen Elizabeth had many reasons to celebrate since her thoroughbred Carlton House ran an impressive race in the Prince of Wales stakes. Carlton House took the lead from the favourite, So You Think, towards the end of the race, but in the last few moments So You Think took back the lead and the first place.

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Her Majesty was wearing a pink dress and coat, with matching hat from her trusted dressmaker Angela Kelly, and the beautiful Centenary Rose Brooch. The Countess of Wessex looked graceful in pale green ensemble with matching hat and a beautiful aquamarine or blue topaz brooch. Princess Anne recycled the pink ensemble she had worn for her daughter’s wedding.

Meanwhile, Princess Haya of Jordan made a perfect curtsey to the Queen before greeting her warmly with an embrace. The Princess looked fantastic in a dark blue dress and very interesting navy blue hat.

To read more, visit this thread – Royal Ascot: 2008-2012

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