Why Princess Beatrice Didn’t Ride in the Carriage Procession at Royal Ascot with King Charles

NEED TO KNOW

• Princess Beatrice attended Royal Ascot’s first day of races, but she didn’t take part in the carriage procession with her uncle King Charles and other royals

• Beatrice has ridden in the procession before but doesn’t always, likely due to space constraints

• She was seen catching up with King Charles and other members of the royal family at the horse racing event

Princess Beatrice was spotted at Royal Ascot’s kickoff day, but she didn’t take part in the carriage procession with King Charles and Queen Camilla — likely for a practical reason.

The King, 76, and Queen, 77, arrived at the horse races in a carriage on June 17, taking part in a tradition dating back 200 years. On May 31, 1825, King George IV led four other horse-drawn coaches with members of the royal party from Windsor Castle to Ascot, and the procession now serves as the official start of a day at Royal Ascot.

Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, also attended Royal Ascot did not arrive with the King. Likewise, Zara Tindall and her husband, Mike Tindall, were among the race watchers but didn’t ride in the procession — even though Zara’s mother, Princess Anne, and her son, Peter Phillips, also rode in a carriage in the royal procession.

Princess Beatrice, Zara and others have ridden in the carriage procession before, but their absence from Tuesday’s parade was likely due to the limited space in the four coaches. They may return to Royal Ascot and take part in the procession later in the week.

Princess Beatrice, Zara and their husbands caught up with their uncle the King at Royal Ascot, and they were seen greeting each other warmly, including Mike giving Queen Camilla a kiss on the cheek.

The daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson — who welcomed her second daughter, Athena, earlier this year — wore a pink and white ensemble for the daytime outing, complete with a chic headpiece. Meanwhile, Edo followed the dress code with a sharp suit and top hat.

Both Beatrice and Edo also wore an unexpected accessory: name tags! While King Charles and Queen Camilla went without the pins, the name tags usually serve as a signal of admission into certain areas and boxes at Royal Ascot.

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Royal Ascot was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne as a venue for “horses fit for kings,” according to the event’s website. The British royal family has been closely associated with the horse races since, with the carriage procession being a highlight of each day.

Maureen Haggas, daughter of jockey and horse trainer Lester Piggott who has ridden in the procession, told Royal Ascot, “The procession and the royal family is what makes Royal Ascot. People come from all over the world.”

John Warren, the late Queen Elizabeth’s long-time racing adviser, added, “Every box, every stand, every blade of grass is full of people watching the procession.”

Not only are the royal family attendees of Royal Ascot, but they also have a vested interest as racehorse owners!

Queen Elizabeth had a passion for horses during her life, and in 2013, her horse Estimate won the Gold Cup, making her the first reigning monarch to do so as an owner. Warren recalled, “When she passed the post, it brought the house down…The Queen was really, really excited. It was a day to remember.”

During King Charles’ debut year at Royal Ascot as reigning monarch in 2023, his mother’s horse Desert Hero won its race.

“To actually have a winner in the King’s first year was quite remarkable,” said Warren. “The King welled up, tears in his eyes and the Queen burst into tears.”

Royal Ascot continues a busy week for the British royal family. They gathered in London on Saturday, June 14, for Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration of the monarch’s birthday. Members of the family were together again on Monday, June 16, for the annual Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle.

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