Queen misses the whole of Royal Ascot for the first time in her 70-year reign

THE QUEEN missed the final day of Royal Ascot yesterday, meaning she did not attend the famous race meeting for the first time in her reign.

The monarch was replaced in the Royal procession by the Duke of Kent, followed by Princess Beatrice, elder daughter of Prince Andrew, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

The Queen, a lifelong racing enthusiast, chose to watch at home in Windsor Castle, just a 15-minute drive from the Berkshire course.

But her absence failed to dampen the roaring atmosphere, as thousands of glamorous racegoers showcased their finery – among them Princess Anne’s son Peter

Phillips and his partner, oil heiress Lindsay Wallace, a mother-of-two.

Beatrice’s outfit seemed to be inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge, who stunned the Ascot crowd on Friday in a polka-dot dress similar to the one worn by Princess Diana in 1988.

Rather than the scorching heat earlier in the week, yesterday’s procession took place under gunmetal skies and a brisk breeze that forced Beatrice, 33, to cover her lap in a blanket and other members in the procession to grip their hats.

The Royals were welcomed by a Guard of Honour of 70 children dressed in the Queen’s famous purple, red and gold racing silks.

Beatrice has been carrying out an increasing number of engagements after it was reported Andrew

wanted his daughters to be given more duties. The Duke of York himself skipped one of the most colourful events in the Royal calendar, amid speculation he wanted to avoid embarrassing fellow Royals.

Aside from members of the Royal Family, celebrities and sporting stars flocked to Ascot. They included socialites Georgia Toffolo

‘Welcomed by children in a Guard of Honour’

and Lady Victoria Hervey, who dazzled in all-white outfits. Ex-footballer Rio Ferdinand also attended for the first time. He said: ‘The atmosphere is crazy. I love it.’

In a note for the Royal Ascot 2022 programme, the Queen wrote: ‘I have been most grateful for the continued kindness shown to me by the racing community.’

THIS is the moment when the Royal procession at Ascot threatened to turn into disaster. As the procession neared its end, one of the horses pulling the carriage of Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo suddenly became spooked and started bucking, seemingly out of control. Hundreds of spectators pointed and gasped, but the Royal escort remained in the saddle and quickly brought the horse under control. The Princess, circled, appeared unfazed and left the carriage smiling.

DOT MATRIX: Princess Beatrice with her husband. Inset: Her handbag bearing the initials B.E.Y., for Beatrice Elizabeth York