The Queen, 91, arrived at Royal Ascot this afternoon in a glorious purple suit and matching hat.
Her fascinator was adorned with stunning silk flowers and she matched it with a lick of red lipstick and a string of pearls around her neck.
At 2pm sharp on each day of racing, the Queen and her Royal Procession pass through the Golden Gates of the racecourse to signal the start of the races.
Although the weather is decidedly more overcast than in previous days, Queen Elizabeth managed a smile for her adoring crowd.
Prince Philip was not with his wife the Queen – cancelling his visit after an overnight stay at hospital earlier in the week.
There has been no official update on his condition.
On Wednesday, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London last night, as a precautionary measure, for treatment of an infection arising from a pre-existing condition.
“Prince Philip is in good spirits and is disappointed to be missing the State Opening of Parliament and Royal Ascot.
“The Prince of Wales will accompany the Queen to the State Opening. Her Majesty is being kept informed and will attend Royal Ascot as planned this afternoon.”
This year Royal Ascot opened with a minute’s silence across the racecourse, to commemorate the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Ascot Racecourse is also making a £100,000 donation to the British Red Cross UK Solidarity and the London Fire Relief Fund as a well as local charities.
Johnny Weatherby, Chairman of Ascot Racecourse, said: “We have all been deeply saddened by recent tragic events around the country.
“At the beginning of this important week for racing, we at Ascot Racecourse wish to pay our respects to the victims and offer support to the families who have been so terribly affected.”
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