Prince William was accompanied by Queen Camilla in the traditional carriage procession at Royal Ascot today in what was a rare joint appearance by the pair.
The Prince of Wales, who once had a deeply strained relationship with his stepmother, looked at ease as he sat with her and the Earl and Countess of Halifax in front of adoring crowds.
It was the first time that Camilla and William have teamed up since they led senior royals at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in March.
But whilst that was an official engagement, Ascot is not on the roster of duties and so William’s appearance alongside Camilla today will be seen by royal watchers as a sign of how well they now get on.
Prince William was accompanied by Queen Camilla in the traditional carriage procession at Royal Ascot today in what was a rare joint appearance by the pair
The Prince of Wales, who once had a deeply strained relationship with his stepmother, looked at ease as he sat with her and the Earl and Countess of Halifax in front of adoring crowds
William’s relationship with Camilla stretches back to the trauma of his childhood.
King Charles embarked on an affair with her in the late 1980s, when he was still married to Princess Diana.
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The couple’s romance remained low-key until after Diana’s death in a car crash in Paris in 1997 – the year after she and Charles had divorced.
Prince Harry claimed in his bombshell memoir Spare that he and William had ‘begged’ their father not to marry Camilla.
Harry likened her to a ‘wicked stepmother’ and even accused Camilla of leaking stories about him through a palace spin doctor.
However, when Charles and Camilla did get married in April 2005, both William and Harry were present at the ceremony.
In march, William and Camilla shared a giggle when they were joined by Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh for Commonwealth Day.
It was a far cry from their strained appearances in previous years.
At Ascot today, the Princess of Wales’ parents were also in attendance in what was their first public appearance since their daughter’s cancer diagnosis.
Carole and Michael Middleton beamed as they arrived side-by-side for the prestigious event at the Berkshire racecourse.
Kate, who is continuing her cancer treatment, was not present despite making a welcome appearance at Trooping the Colour at the weekend.
Kate revealed in a statement on Friday she is making ‘good progress’ in her treatment but candidly said she has ‘good days and bad days’ and although there has been some limited working from home, she stressed ‘I am not out of the woods yet’.
Zara and Mike Tindall and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh – who are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary today – were also there to soak up the atmosphere.
Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank were in another carriage, and when the procession reached the parade ring, Zara was waiting to greet them all.
Other guests included Andrew Lloyd Webber who was made a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter during a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Monday, attended by the King and Queen and other senior royals.
Queen Camilla attends day two of Royal Ascot 2024 at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2024
Queen Camilla is seen sitting opposite Prince William at Royal Ascot today
Prince William sits next to the Earl of Halifax and opposite Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot
Prince William is seen sitting opposite a beaming Queen Camilla and the Countess of Halifax
Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales and the Earl and Countess of Halifax arrive by carriage during day two of Royal Ascot
Prince William embraces Mike Tindall – the husband of his cousin Zara – at Royal Ascot today
Prince William at Royal Ascot today, mingling with other guests at the famous racecourse
The Prince of Wales waves to crowds as he arrives at Royal Ascot next to the Earl of Halifax
Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh wave to guests at Royal Ascot today, their 25th wedding anniversary
Zara Tindall embraces Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, at Royal Ascot today
Prince William beams as he mixes with guests at Royal Ascot today
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, stands alongside her daughter Princess Beatrice at Royal Ascot today
Radiant: Carole appeared effortlessly elegant in her blue number from Self-Portrait
Princess Beatrice spotted chatting to Zara Tindall ahead of this afternoon’s race meet at Ascot
Zara, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Eugenie, Prince Edward and Mike Tindall at Royal Ascot today
Prince William speaks to Carole Middleton at Royal Ascot today
Theatre impresario Lord Lloyd-Webber, whose hit musicals include The Phantom Of The Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, was joined by his wife.
The Middletons also made their way into the ring to mingle with other guess from the royal box, but missing was the king, who wax pictured earlier performing duties of state.
In March, Carole was pictured driving a 4×4 Audi, with Kate in the passenger seat, near Windsor Castle. The images were published by US gossip website TMZ.
Then in April, William was spotted on a ‘low key’ pub outing in Norfolk with his mother-in-law, while his wife stayed at home, The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden reported. Carole was said to be staying with the couple over Easter.
For today’s appearance, Carole looked effortlessly elegant in her all blue ensemble as she joined her equally sophisticated husband at Ascot.
Her floral dress appeared reminiscent of Kate’s £1,275 blue lace creation by Elie Saab, which she first wore to Royal Ascot in 2019. It also featured a dainty bow and pleated detailing.
In march, William and Camilla shared a giggle when they were joined by Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
Camilla and William sit next to each other at the Commonwealth Day Service in Westminster Abbey in March 2019. It was Harry and Meghan’s final official engagement
Prince William enjoys a laugh with Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, at the Invictus Games opening ceremony in September 2014
William and Camilla sit next to each other at Trooping the Colour in 2007
Prince William and Harry attend the wedding of their father Prince Charles and Camilla at the Guildhall in Windsor in 2005
Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, started yesterday with the Queen Anne Stakes and will run until Saturday.
Yesterday, the King and Queen joined punters at the famous racing meet.
Lady Gabriella Windsor, who lost her husband earlier this year, was also present.
Charles and Camilla took on the late Queen’s thoroughbreds and have entered a string of horses over the next five days.
The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds, and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.