Carole Middleton, the mother of the Princess of Wales, made a stylish appearance at Cheltenham Ladies Day today, joining a high-profile royal gathering that included Queen Camilla and Zara Tindall. The 71-year-old grandmother to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis brought a touch of glamour to the racecourse, where she was seen laughing and walking arm in arm with Zara Tindall during the Cheltenham Festival.
Fashion Statement with a Royal Twist
Carole Middleton dressed impeccably for the occasion, sporting a thick grey coat paired with brown suede boots. Her ensemble was elevated by an eye-catching blue fedora hat from Hicks & Brown, adorned with an elegant feather. Intriguingly, this hat appears to be a borrowed item from her daughter Kate, as the Princess of Wales was last photographed wearing the exact same hat to a church service at Sandringham in January 2020.
This subtle wardrobe choice adds a personal touch to the event, highlighting the close family ties within the Middleton and royal circles.
Luxurious Accessories and Royal Company
Completing her look, Carole carried a rare black vintage Hermes Birkin bag, a luxury accessory that can fetch up to £50,000 on resale markets. She later watched the races from a private box alongside the royal party, which also included Princess Anne, blending seamlessly into the elite gathering.
Queen Camilla's Celebratory Role
Queen Camilla, who arrived at the racecourse by helicopter at noon, played a central role in the day's festivities. As joint patron of the Jockey Club with King Charles, she celebrated "trailblazing" women in sport. Camilla wore a honey-coloured cashmere coat by Anna Valentine, a brown feathered hat by Philip Treacy, and a Jockey Club pin for the occasion.
In the parade ring, Camilla met Rachael Blackmore, the first female jockey to win both the Grand National in 2021 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022. Noticing Blackmore's pregnancy, Camilla warmly congratulated her, to which Blackmore laughed and remarked on the career shift.
Honouring Sporting Achievements
Camilla also chatted with jockey Aamilah Aswat, who last month became the first black woman to win a jump race in the UK at Kempton Park. As president of the Ebony Horse Club charity, which uses horse riding to support disadvantaged youth, Camilla praised Aswat's achievement as "just brilliant" and inquired about her next race.
Additionally, Camilla met with Rugby World Cup winners Natasha "Mo" Hunt and captain Zoe Aldcroft from the Red Roses team, encouraging them to enjoy "some bubbles" during the day. Zara Tindall joined Camilla for a group photo and conversation before the Queen headed to the royal box, where she was accompanied by her son Tom Parker-Bowles, daughter Laura Lopes, and son-in-law Harry Lopes.
The event showcased not only high fashion and royal camaraderie but also a focus on women's achievements in sports, making it a memorable day at Cheltenham.
