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King Charles and Queen Camilla took a carriage ride — their third in four days — to Royal Ascot horse race meeting
The King, 76, and Queen, 77, fulfilled a tradition that is 200 years old
Charles, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, is expected to attend on each of the five days
For the third time in four days, King Charles and Queen Camilla climbed into a horse-drawn carriage — but this ride was particularly momentous.
The royal couple arrived at Royal Ascot on June 18 in the traditional procession across the racecourse, marking 200 years since the pageantry was introduced by King George IV in 1825. The annual event remains a cornerstone of the British summer season, alongside the Chelsea Flower Show and palace garden parties — and one especially close to the late Queen Elizabeth’s heart.
The outing comes after a flurry of recent royal appearances. Charles — who is undergoing cancer treatment — and Camilla stepped out just one day after attending the historic Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle and leading Trooping the Colour, the King’s official birthday parade, on June 14.
Chris Jackson/Getty
King Charles at Royal Ascot on June 17, 2025.
Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, were joined on June 17 by Princess Anne, Charles’ sister; her son Peter Phillips and his girlfriend, Harriet Sperling. Also in the royal party was author Anthony Horowitz, best known for the Alex Rider series — a fitting guest given Queen Camilla’s ongoing efforts to champion literacy. Her initiative, The Queen’s Reading Room, is being spotlighted throughout the week at Ascot. Additional guests who joined the King and Queen for lunch at Windsor Castle included Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud, Camilla’s friend Lady Keswick, and her sister Annabel Elliot.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot on June 17, 2025.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are expected to make an appearance later in the week, while King Charles is set to attend all five days of Royal Ascot. The festive stretch of royal outings will culminate with Prince William’s 43rd birthday.
Charles and Camilla have a horse entered in the 5 p.m. race, aptly named Reaching High. In a message to racegoers printed in the official program, the couple reflected on the excitement of seeing their horses succeed.
“Last year, we were delighted to witness an Australian winner of the first running of the King Charles III Stakes,” they wrote, “and we look forward to seeing a number of top-quality international runners compete this week.”
“Having experienced the thrill of victory at Royal Ascot ourselves in 2023, we can only wish all those competing this week the very best of luck and that everyone watching has the most enjoyable five days.”
Chris Jackson/Getty
Queen Camilla and King Charles at Royal Ascot on June 17, 2025.
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He also acknowledged the 200th anniversary of the carriage ride and praised the horses who will be in action this week — and those pulling the royal carriages.
The royal procession “has become a familiar feature of the Royal Meeting ever since and a unique spectacle in the world of racing. The hardworking Windsor Greys look magnificent every day and in this special year they deserve extra recognition, as do those in the Royal Mews who look after all the horses with such dedication,” he wrote.
Read the original article on People
