King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed by crowds as Royal Ascot 2026 begins
Royal Ascot 2026 officially got underway as King Charles and Queen Camilla
made their traditional arrival in horse-drawn landaus alongside other members
of the British royal family.
On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace shared photos from the opening day through the
royal family’s official Instagram account.
The featured image showed the King and Queen smiling and waving as they
travelled along the course in the ceremonial carriage procession.
In the caption, the palace announced: “The King and Queen have arrived for the
first day of Royal Ascot.”
It continued: “The day began with the traditional Royal Procession, where
members of the Royal Family arrive along the track in horse-drawn landaus.”
The post also reflected on the event’s long history, noting that Ascot
Racecourse was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 and has since been supported by
twelve successive monarchs. The summer racing event officially became a royal
week in 1911.
Other photos from the collection included Princess Anne riding in one
carriage, while another featured the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
For the occasion, Queen Camilla chose an elegant blue dress with floral
detailing, while King Charles wore a traditional morning suit paired with a
top hat.
