King Charles was visibly furious at Royal Ascot, while Queen Camilla was seen biting her nails. The royal couple's racing aspirations crumbled on the opening day when their horse suffered a comprehensive defeat.
A Disappointing Start
Charles and Camilla watched from the royal box as their horse Reaching High fell short in the Ascot Stakes. The 25-1 outsider Kizlyar claimed victory, while thousands of punters roared for their chosen runners. The King, known for his composure, was seen expressing frustration, captured on camera in rare moments of anger.
Royal Family in Attendance
The royal couple were joined by the Princess Royal, her recently-wed son Peter Phillips, and his wife Harriet Sperling. They also shared the royal enclosure with other invitees, including the Queen's son Tom Parker Bowles. Peter and Harriet enjoyed their first Royal Ascot carriage procession as newlyweds, appearing delighted, but the King and Queen were less pleased.
Photographs show the King and Queen looking increasingly unhappy with various results. At one point, the King was seen scribbling in his notebook, reportedly writing notes to himself. The royal pair acknowledged the difficulty of winning at the prestigious Berkshire event in their contribution to the official programme.
Royal Reflection
"As owner breeders ourselves, we know how hard it is to win races at Royal Ascot and wish our fellow breeders, both at home and abroad, the best of luck in this most fascinating of challenges," they wrote. Charles and Camilla inherited the late Queen's racing stable and have become devoted racehorse owners, celebrating their first Royal Ascot victory in 2023 with Desert Hero in the King George V Stakes.
Looking Ahead
They are hoping for better fortune later in the week, with four more horses entered in the flat racing festival. The King did manage to present a trophy in the King Charles II Stakes, won by Mission Central, trained by Aidan O'Brien. Despite the rough start, the royal couple remain committed to their racing interests.
