Queen all smiles as she returns to Royal Ascot

The Queen delighted racing fans as she visited Royal Ascot today. 

Last year's event took place behind closed doors due to the pandemic. The monarch also missed last year's race as it was held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, today the Queen braved the grey weather to cheer on the four horses running in her colours of purple and gold.

She arrived at the Parade Ring in a beige car at 2pm wearing lime green clothing and a matching hat to cheers and applause from the crowd.

Her horses Reach For The Moon, Tactical, Light Refrain and King's Lynn are all set to run during the afternoon.

Punters like to bet on the colour of the Queen's hat and this year bookmakers had said the most popular predictions were blue and green due to the change in weather.

Nicola McGeady, of Ladbrokes, said: "Green has been chalked up as the favourite, but red is the mover after money came earlier today."

The Queen's eldest grandson Peter Phillips was also seen arriving earlier in the day.

The carriage procession that usually proceeds each day's racing did not take place.