Royal Ascot Day 3: The Queen and her family attend Ladies’ Day

The Queen was joined by members of her extended family today as they enjoyed the third day of Royal Ascot, Ladies’ Day.

The Queen joined by Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot. Picture by Stephen Lock / i-Images

Once again, Her Majesty attended without husband Prince Phillip, who was released from hospital  this morning after a two-nigh stay to treat an infection.

Instead, The Duke of York accompanied his mother in the first carriage. Despite the high temperatures, The Queen – radiant in fuschia pink – appeared in good spirits throughout the day. Joining The Queen and Prince Andrew were John Warren, Her Majesty’s racing manager, as well as her Deputy Private Secretary, Edward Young.

Following her mother, Princess Anne was joined in the second carriage by her husband, Sir Tim Laurence, and her nieces, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

ROYALS ENJOY OPENING DAY OF ASCOT

Other royal guests travelled in the third carriage; the newly appointed Earl and Countess of Snowdon (the late Princess Margaret’s son and daughter-in-law), alongside David and Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, lady-in-waiting to the Princess Royal.

DASH FROM STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT TO ASCOT FOR THE QUEEN

Although she did not take part in the carriage procession, The Countess of Wessex seemed pleased to see her mother-in-law, waving animatedly as she watched the carriages arrive. In addition to Beatrice and Eugenie, another of Her Majesty’s granddaughters, Zara, and her husband, Mike Tindall, were also spotted in the Royal enclosure.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex on the third day of Royal Ascot – Ladies Day. Picture by Stephen Lock / i-Images

Her Majesty awarded the trophy for today’s main event, the Gold Cup race. Big Orange won this prestigious race, with a thrilling finish. In keeping with the Ladies’ Day theme, Eugenie presented the trophy to representatives of the winner of The Hampton Court Stakes, Benbatl.

Today’s Britannia Stakes featured the first of The Queen’s horses, Maths Prize, to compete this week. Unfortunately for The Queen, who has 23 previous wins at Royal Ascot, Maths Prize did not secure a top 3 finish.