Charles and Camilla’s hopes of Royal Ascot winner dashed
20 June 2025, 15:56 | Updated: 20 June 2025, 18:20
The King and Queen’s racing pot of gold failed to materialise when their horse Purple Rainbow was well beaten at Royal Ascot.
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Charles and Camilla have seen their racing hopes dashed twice this week when their much fancied thoroughbreds were well beaten.
The senior royals watched the fast-paced race from the royal box and were glued to monitors, with the King animated in the closing stages of the mile-long sprint.
He bobbed on the spot as if willing on his jockey Warren Fentiman in the aptly named Sandringham Stakes but Purple Rainbow, who was not fancied by the bookies, did not challenge the front runners.
The couple looked up in the closing stages to watch the race as it came past the stands but Never Let Go crossed the line first and the King and his wife were left opened mouthed.
Charles and Camilla will have to wait another day to try to double their tally of Royal Ascot winners.
Racegoers have been given a respite for the moment from this week's sweltering conditions, with hazy cloud over the Berkshire race course keeping temperatures below Thursday's record highs.
Will Aitkenhead, head of corporate and industry affairs at the track, said: "Whilst there are no plans to ease the dress code at this stage, we are conscious of rising temperatures through the day and will monitor the situation.
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"We will be handing out bottled water to guests on arrival and have worked hard overnight to provide more shaded areas."
The King and Queen were joined by Camilla's old school friend Lady Cavendish and her husband Lord Cavendish in their coach during the traditional carriage procession along the course.
Among the guests travelling in the carriages were the former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad, the Queen's Companion the Marchioness of Lansdowne and musical maestro Lord Lloyd-Webber.
Princess Eugenie, her husband Jack Brooksbank and mother Sarah, Duchess of York were spotted in the parade ring alongside former defence secretary Ben Wallace and Zara Tindall when the royal procession arrived in the exclusive area.
The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.
Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V Stakes.
