Paul Arora, who was watching the procession in Berkshire, said second carriage – the one Princess Anne was travelling in – broke down on its way to Royal Ascot and aides stepped in
Royal carriage breaks down during procession at Ascot
Princess Anne’s carriage broke down while on its way to Royal Ascot today. A resident who came out to watch the carriage procession through Cheapside in Berkshire filmed the moment the carriage was forced to stop. Footage shows royal aides rushing to fix the reins that had fallen off the second carriage in the procession, which contained the Princess Royal, The Duke of Wellington, The Duchess of Wellington and Mrs Annabel Elliot, Queen Camilla’s sister.
Local resident Paul Arora, who was enjoying the procession, said of the incident: “It was a quintessential English scene where the King and members of the Royal Family made their way through a small village this morning for the start of Royal Ascot. Many of the locals turned out to show their support and were blessed by the wonderful weather.
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“However, the royals were not so blessed as one of the carriages had a horse break its reins.” Sharing further details with the Express, Mr Arora added: “We noted it had caused a delay for a few minutes, and royal rushed to help fix the problem, which they appeared to do so very efficiently.
“Shortly after, the procession continued and all was well. After the mishap occurred, my friends were discussing the incident – it made quite the talking point!”
After the mishap, the King’s carriage waited further up the hill until Princess Anne’s carriage was fixed. Many locals had gathered to wave at the royals, including a group of school children who were amazed at the sighting.
The Ascot resident was enjoying a garden party with friends who had held the event in honour of the first day of the prestigious event. Riding in the first carriage were King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud, and Lady Sarah Keswick.
The third carriage contained Princess Anne’s son, Peter Phillips, Mr Anthony Horowitz and his wife, and the fourth carriage included Mr Henry Morton Jack, Lady Joanna Morton Jack, Lord Vestey and Lady Vestey.
The royal procession is celebrating its 200th anniversary, a tradition which began during the reign of George IV in 1825 when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington. As they arrived at the famous racing meet to watch their horse in action, Charles and Camilla spoke about the “thrill” of having a Royal Ascot winner.
The King and Queen wrote in the official programme: “Having experienced the thrill of victory at Royal Ascot ourselves in 2023, we can only wish all those competing this week the very best of luck and that everyone watching has a most enjoyable five days.”
The head of state and his wife will be hoping for a winner in the Ascot Stakes when their horse Reaching High, trained by Willie Mullins, takes on other thoroughbreds.
The horse is among the favourites with the bookies and is one of a number the royal couple have entered this week. 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.
