A Royal style snap! Queen and Camilla once again collude over colour on day two of Ascot races

There was a time when the Queen and her daughter-in-law Camilla weren't the closest of chums - Her Majesty still smarting somewhat over the way her son Charles's first marriage to Diana had crumbled so spectacularly.
But these days the two women are clearly thick as thieves, frequently photographed out and about together at official engagements, charity events and country gatherings.
And now, on the second day of Royal Ascot, they have proved once again just how close they really are, riding side-by-side in a horse-drawn carriage, smiling and waving happily while wearing matching spearmint green outfits, having colluded once more over their sartorial selections before their appearance to ensure they wore complementary colours.
The duo attended the Berkshire races yesterday in similarly matching pinks and corals.

The Queen and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arriving at the second day of Royal Ascot in their complementary spearmint outfits, pearls and white gloves

The Queen waving to the crowds on day two of Royal Ascot, wearing a spearmint green overcoat, a lilac floral silk scarf, a green, pink and purple hat with floral embellishment, a string of pearls, pearl earrings, white gloves and a diamond brooch

The Queen wore her spearmint green crepe coat on top of a multi-coloured floral silk dress by Peter Enrione, with a matching mint and violet-coloured Angela Kelly hat, with a diamond and emerald brooch.

Moreover, she managed - without realising - to scupper the bookmakers' hopes of low payouts to people who bet on what colour outfit and hat she would be wearing.
By wearing a jolly, multicoloured headpiece, Her Majesty ensured that everyone who guessed she would appear in either pink, purple or green headgear would receive winnings.

 

Bookies were similarly put-out yesterday when the Queen wore a coral ensemble and officials at Ladbrokes couldn't decide whether it was peach or pink... so paid out on both.
Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: 'We think Her Majesty is taking us for a ride. These double and triple payouts are giving us a major headache but the Queen is coining it in for her loyal supporters.'
Blue is now the favourite to be her colour of choice on Ladies' Day tomorrow at 3/1, or it is a 4/1 chance she opts for a summery yellow number.
'It seems unlikely but it's 100/1 she throws us another curve ball with a patriotic Union Jack-themed hat,' said Ladbrokes.

Bookies were similarly put-out yesterday when the Queen wore a coral ensemble and officials at Ladbrokes couldn't decide whether it was peach or pink... so paid out on both.

The Queen caught during a moment of quiet contemplation, left, and Camilla enjoying the Royal procession, right

The Royal party makes their way towards the box as racing horses trot behind them

While her husband the Duke of Edinburgh stayed at home to rest and recover from a recent 11-night stay in hospital where he had exploratory abdominal surgery, the Queen was joined in the horse-drawn procession by their son Charles and his wife Camilla.
Bathed in brilliant summer sunshine, the Queen's carriage processed along the course on day two of the five-day event.
The Queen is a keen horse-breeder and owner who attends Royal Ascot most years - but she has also become the focus of betting attention.
Racegoers traditionally have a punt on the colour of the hat she will wear on Ladies' Day, being staged tomorrow, when female racegoers wear even more outlandish hats and outfits then usual.
Like Ladbrokes, bookmaker Coral also believes she will wear a blue hat and makes the colour its 3/1 favourite. But punters have been backing purple and its odds have fallen from 8/1 to 5/1.

The Royal Procession passes around the Parade Ring in front of the Main Grandstand

Spectators eagerly photograph the Royal party as they ride past the enclosure on the way to their Royal box

The lofty Royal carriage wheels past the public enclosure carrying the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Prince Charles and friend ride with the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall in the Royal Ascot procession on he second day of the meet in Berkshire

The Queen and Camilla in their matching spearmint green racing

Her Royal Highness and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall spectate from on high from the comfort of their royal box

We are not amused: The Queen and the Duchess look a bit glum at what is perhaps a dull point in the race

It seems as if the Queen's interest has been caught by the racing, though Camilla still seems distracted

Finally, we ARE amused! Or, at least, Charles and Camilla are - the Queen instead provides a master class in maintaining composure

A Coral spokesman said: 'Betting on the colour of the Queen's hat remains hugely popular amongst punters and after predicting pink on day one, they seem to be feeling confident about investing their money in purple.'
The carriage procession also featured the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and was warmly greeted by the crowds in the stands as it passed by.

Also accompanying the senior Royals in their box - but arriving in a separate carriage - were Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, who looked serious in a smart, mid-sleeve beige wrap-dress with a brown belt, a matching hat with a purple tuile, and nude court shoes. The Queen's nephew Viscount Linley and his wife were there as well.
Lady Helen Taylor, first cousin once removed of the Queen, also attended wearing a fitted block-colour dress of yellow, purple and white.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, arrived at Ascot in a beige wrap dress, nude courts and matching hat with purple tuile

Lady Helen Taylor, first cousin once removed of the Queen, chose bold colours on a fitted dress and a small turquoise hat with matching nails

Lady Helen Taylor greets a friend, left, and the Duchess of Gloucester looks immaculate in countryside chic

Outside of the Royal box, however, it was feared Ascot was in danger of becoming 'Chav-scot', as racegoers poured on the fake tan and squeezed themselves into ill-fitting bum-skimming dresses.
Some racegoers attracted gasps from passers-by for all the wrong reasons. Many women chose the hottest day of the year to strip down into minimal ensembles, drawing more attention than those who had spent a fortune on hats.
Last year Royal Ascot introduced strict new fashion guidelines in a bid to smarten up the five day event, but today many female racegoers appeared to be breaching the rules.

Away from the Royal Enclosure, the Grandstand is yet to be filled

After arriving, race-goers loosen their ties, slip off their shoes and enjoy themselves

As the sun came out, so did the legs on day two of Royal Ascot

Hats as far as the eye can see at the Berkshire meet

Decked out in her finest miliner, hat-maker Tracy Rose thought she had hit the look just right for Royal Ascot. However, the fashion police guarding the prestigious Royal Enclosure found the skirt to be missing a few vital inches.
Mrs Rose - an Ascot regular of 32 years - was barred from entry to the exclusive section of the course despite having a ticket.
Instead she was told she would only be admitted to the Grandstand because her carefully selected dress was sitting too high above the knee.
The furious 52-year-old Londoner, who is always a firm favourite of the photographers that gather of the five day event, said that she would be seeking compensation and considering legal action.
She branded Ascot staff rude and claimed that she was being victimised because of her profession.

Tracy Rose was outraged to have been evicted from the Royal Enclosure for not abiding by the dress rules, and is considering legal action

She said: 'I believe I am being personally victimised as I have seen people dressed far more extremely than myself and I will be seeking compensation and maybe taking legal action'

'I was told that I was not allowed in the Royal Enclosure because of the length of my skirt but I think that is just an excuse. It is preposterous really, because I have seen people going in in much worse.
'I think that I am being victimised because I am a hat designer and I come here wearing one of my designs and they claim I am advertising myself. There are thousands of designers here wearing their hats and clothes.
'I believe I am being personally victimised as I have seen people dressed far more extremely than myself and I will be seeking compensation and maybe taking legal action.'
Mrs Rose is a firm favourite with the Ascot set and is a regular at the five day event, which is attended by the Queen. Pictures of her strutting her stuff in her unique designs at the summer social event are regularly picked up by the world's media.
'I am being victimised because I sell hats but Royal Ascot is traditionally about hats. I've been coming 32 years and this is the first time I have been turned away. The staff were so rude. I would give them zero out of five for services.
'Once you get in the Royal Enclosure the staff are an absolute delight. We have been coming for so long that some we class as friends.
Last year Ascot launched a new dress code to make sure punters were wearing appropriate attire. A official guide to the event said: 'Royal Ascot is a unique, stand alone event in the sporting calender and dressing accordingly is part of the experience.'

Racegoers eagerly anticipate the steeds and their riders

Neck and neck: James Doyle, riding Al Kazeem, narrowly beats Paul Hanagan, riding Mukhadram, to win the Prince of Wales's Stakes

Royal favourite: Prince Charles presents the trophies for the Prince of Wales's Stakes to jockey James Doyle and trainer Roger Charlton

In the Royal Enclosure formal wear is a requirement and dresses should be of a modest length, which is defined as falling just above the knee or longer.
Fellow racegoer Sophie Lassman, 23, who was also viewing the action from the Royal Enclosure, was in favour of the strict rules.
'I think it has made a really positive difference and as a whole Ascot is a lot classier. I think they should actually make the grandstand stricter as well.'
Many racegoers were seen as they tried to enter the course pulling desperately yanking down their skirts and dresses as they caught the attention of the fashion police.
But many other guests at today's race had eyes only for the horses. Prince Charles, a great horse enthusiast, not only watched the racing from the royal box but also presented prizes to the winning jockey and trainer of the feature race which bore his title - the Prince of Wales Stakes.
The crowds cheered as the thoroughbred Al Kazeem chased down early leader Mukhadram, producing a dramatic finish to pip the horse at the post, while The Fugue, owned by Lord Lloyd-Webber came third.
The Prince was joined by wife Camilla as he presented prizes to winning jockey James Doyle and trainer Roger Charlton.

Chuffed racegoers celebrate backing the right horse with pints and a good cheer

But what would the Queen think? Revelers expressed their joy at the day's result with a quick kiss or... a quick nap

Pretty in pink: Sophie, 20, and Laura Grimes, 23, are visions in their colour-coordinated frocks

Racegoers with short dresses risked raised eye brows and even eviction - these ladies seem to have just made the cut

A visual manual on how to do Ascot in style: Bring a Rolls-Royce, a picnic, and lots of tipple (preferably champagne)

A racegoer places a bet on the colour of the Queen's hat; unfortunately for betters, her hat was several different hues

Classy dress and a cider? Not what you'd expect at Ascot, but this enthusiast is enjoying herself

The Tootsie Rollers, a glamorous 50s-inspired troupe of entertainers, dress in a sunflower influenced look

The races at Ascot, day two: An enjoyable day for one and all