It's the first day of Royal Ascot 2026! The entire royal family will descend from the castle grounds right onto the race course. Speculation has been rife over who will join the carriage procession, and who won't. But it will be a thrilling day indeed!
At Royal Ascot on Tuesday, King Charles reminded royal fans of Prince George's awkward moment during Trooping the Color this year. The monarch was caught sneezing in the gallery, resembling a similar situation his eldest grandson had found himself in at the Buckingham Palace balcony a few days ago.
Ira Deokule
The thrill of Royal Ascot has always forced even the most poised royals to shed their composure. Even the late Queen Elizabeth couldn't escape the charms of passionate cheering and stressful races. Royal Ascot's latest victim was Queen Camilla, who was spotted biting her nails out of tension at the gallery on Tuesday. A nail-biting finish indeed!
Ira Deokule
One of the most open ended question that had made the rounds before the Royal Ascot this year was whether Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie would be in attendance or not. After their absence at Easter this year, it was reported that the York sisters had been invited to the Royal Ascot, but in the coming days, speculation also suggested otherwise. The princesses were not present on the opening day of the event, but Royal Ascot still has four more days.
Ira Deokule
Queen Camilla was spotted sharing a candid moment of laughter with her son Tom Parker Bowles at Ascot Racecourse on Tuesday. The warm exchange offered a rare glimpse of the Queen at ease with family.
Abha Anindita
Queen Camilla turned heads with her jewelry choice for the occasion, the Cullinan V, a heart-shaped diamond brooch with a history stretching back over a century. Keen-eyed royal watchers will note she wore the very same brooch on the opening day of last year's meeting, hinting that the Queen may be establishing a new Ascot tradition of her own.
Abha Anindita
King Charles marked a proud personal moment, stepping onto the track to present the trophy for the King Charles III Stakes, the Group 1 sprint race renamed in his honor. The King shared a handshake with jockey Ryan Moore following the race, one of three Group 1 contests on the day's card.
Abha Anindita
King Charles beams as he presents the King Charles III Stakes, one of three Group 1 races on the day's card and one of the most prestigious sprints in the world.
The race, worth $868,000, was run over five furlongs and drew some of the world's top sprinters to Ascot Racecourse. Formerly known as the King's Stand Stakes, the race was renamed in honor of the monarch, making the King's role as presenter a particularly personal one.
Abha Anindita
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were caught in an unguarded moment on the opening day of Royal Ascot 2026, visibly reacting to the action unfolding on the track. The candid photos are a breath of fresh air, capturing a rare, unscripted side of the royal couple as they took in the races from the stands at Ascot Racecourse on Tuesday.
Abha Anindita
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were among the royals turning out for the opening day of Royal Ascot 2026 on Tuesday, joining King Charles III and the wider family at Ascot Racecourse for one of the most anticipated events on the royal calendar.
Abha Anindita
King Charles III was spotted in good spirits on the opening day of Royal Ascot 2026, pausing to chat with his niece Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall at Ascot Racecourse.
Abha Anindita
King Charles and Queen Camilla unveiled a statue of the horse 'Enable' by Charlie Langton on the first day of Royal Ascot. The monarch could later be seen looking at the majestic statue with admiration.
Ira Deokule
Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips made their first joint appearance after their wedding at Royal Ascot on Tuesday. The pair was seen toasting to champagne in the gallery.
Ira Deokule
The Royal Ascot racecourse is leased from the Crown Estate, which King Charles oversees. The Ascot was founded by Queen Anne in 1711, and has enjoyed a close association with the royal family ever since. Many royals, including the late Queen Elizabeth, Princess Anne, and Zara Tindall, had a passion for horses and were skilled riders. The King and Queen are also owners and breeders of many thoroughbred horses.
Ira Deokule
Harriet Sperling has made her first appearance at a royal event after her dreamy wedding to Peter Phillips a few weeks back. And she has chosen the perfect event for it! On Tuesday, she joined her Olympics-participating equestrian mother-in-law, Princess Anne, in the carriage procession at Royal Ascot.
Sperling opted for a baby blue dress and a matching fascinator, while the Princess Royal chose a patterned dress and a grey hat.
Ira Deokule
King Charles and Queen Camilla have rolled down their carriage at Royal Ascot! The couple was seen smiling and waving at the attendees in the stands.
While the King opted for a top hat, blue shirt, patterned tie, cream vest, and grey blazer, the Queen Consort matched her husband's shirt with a baby-blue dress and an elaborate hat.
Ira Deokule
The Prince and Princess of Wales will be missing the opening day of Royal Ascot, since the latter is set to present the Prince of Wales Stakes on the second day of the event.
However, Royal Ascot stretches over five days, and the Prince and Princess of Wales will surely make their much-awaited appearance on the racecourse soon!
Ira Deokule
At Royal Ascot this year, King Charles will be presenting the King Charles III Stakes, while his sister and Olympian, Princess Anne, will present the St. James' Palace Stakes. The brother-sister pair will be joined by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, who will present the Coventry Stakes.
Ira Deokule
The carriage procession at Royal Ascot on opening day will have a big, gaping, Prince Edward-sized gap, as the Duke of Edinburgh won't be attending the first day of the event. He has some commitments in Yorkshire, Barnard Castle, and Newcastle on Tuesday.
However, hopefully, he will soon make an appearance at the week-long event.
Ira Deokule
Olympic silver medal-winning equestrian, Zara Tindall and her rugby player husband, Mike Tindall, are among the first royals to arrive at Royal Ascot on Tuesday!
The latter matched his wife's lilac dress with a similar colored tie. Couple goals!
Ira Deokule