Royal Ascot 2019 - the best pictures

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The Queen and her extended family were out in force in Berkshire yesterday to take part in the celebrations at Royal Ascot.

The Duchess of Cambridge missed the annual race meeting last year after giving birth to son Prince Louis in April, but made a dazzling return on Tuesday, wearing a “light blue Elie Saab dress detailed with lace and a pussy bow”, CNN reports.

Drizzly weather failed to dampen the Royals’ enthusiasm, as Kate and Prince William “happily greeted other family members before heading up the Royal Box”, says People magazine. “And when the rain came down again, William was armed with a black umbrella that he held over himself and his wife.”

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Thousands of racegoers also braved the bad weather to greet a procession of royal carriages along the famous Berkshire course.

And there was much amusement over an incident during a conversation between the Queen and Mike Tindall, husband of the monarch’s granddaughter Zara Tindall. The former England rugby star bowed to the Queen and removed his top hat, only to reveal a tiny replica top hat hidden inside.

On the racing front, Charlie Appleby-trained horse Blue Point won the King’s Stand Stakes for a second successive year, finishing ahead of 2-1 favourite Battaash, the BBC reports. Blue Point, priced at 5-2, was ridden by James Doyle and becomes only the 12th horse to win the race twice.

“He is one of the old warriors in the yard and it has been a great effort from everyone at home,” said Appleby.