FERGIE CAN'T CONTAIN EXCITEMENT SEEING THE QUEEN AT ASCOT

FERGIE CAN'T CONTAIN EXCITEMENT SEEING THE QUEEN AT ASCOT



She's never made any secret of her fondness for her former mother-in-law the Queen.

And today Fergie, 57, proved that, while they may no longer be officially related by marriage, her soft spot for the monarch has not diminished with time.

The Duchess of York, who divorced from Prince Andrew 21 years ago, could hardly contain her excitement as the Queen's carriage pulled up at Ascot, waving ecstatically to the monarchto welcome her to the Parade Ring.

Fergie hasn't been a member of the royal family for more than two decades, but she proved that she hasn't forgotten how to curtsey as she bobbed in deference to the monarch.

Princess Beatrice also looked delighted to see her grandmother, waving cheerfully as the carriage procession arrived.



The Duchess of York opted for a monochrome look for the outing in a figure hugging dressed, nipped in at the waist with a black belt tied in a knot despite having a buckle.

Princess Beatrice, 28, kept it neutral in a rose gold woven coat dress by British couture designer Claire Mischevani, teamed with a feathered hat.



It was a family affair for the Yorks who were also joined by Princess Eugenie and her long-term boyfriend Jack Brooksbank.

The 27-year-old looked summery in a floaty frock with a floral print from L.K.Bennett , teamed with a navy hat adorned with yellow flowers.



The Queen has attended Ascot every year since she ascended the throne in 1952, and it's one of the highlights of her calendar.

She had a vested interest in today's meeting as her horse Call To Mind was running in the King Edward VII Stakes by jockey Jim Crowley.

He got off to a flying start in April this year when he won at Newbury, but the Queen was ultimately left disappointed after Permian romped to victory.



Her Majesty was without her husband Prince Philip for the third day running as he continues to recover at Windsor following a brief stay in hospital.

On Tuesday evening his personal physician was summoned to Windsor Castle, who recommended he be admitted to private King Edward VII Hospital in London as a ‘precautionary’ measure.

It meant that Prince Charles stepped in for his father at the State Opening of Parliament, supporting the Queen.

He left hospital yesterday morning and was driven to Windsor to recuperate.



As revellers streamed through the gates of Ascot earlier this morning, dressed to the nines in posh frocks and elaborate millinery, there was no hint of the debauchery that had gone before them.

But the atmosphere turned sour at Ascot yesterday as shocking brawls and catfights broke out, with the usually glamorous Ladies Day descending into chaos.

Luckily, the civilised atmosphere was restored this morning with revellers looking forward to another day of sporting action in the company of the Queen who will make her fourth visit to the Berkshire course this afternoon.

While Ladies Day saw a plethora of elaborate millinery, festooned with ornamental flowers, horses and birds, today's ticket holder were no less glamorous in a parade of frilly frocks and statement hats.



Lat night, in the most dramatic show of violence, champagne-sipping racegoers watched on as a shirtless man started a fight with a punter, shouting 'let's finish it off' as he rampaged through the crowd.

Footage taken in the Queen Anne Enclosure captured punters screaming in shock as the bald offender and another man in a white shirt hurled foul-mouthed abuse at one another before being frantically pulled apart.

Dolled-up women, drinks and even a fence then became casualties of the heated tussle as the topless man crashed through the crowd, winding up his fists as his rival back away and held up his hands.

A guest could be heard shouting 'f****** idiot' while another yelled 'f*** off you coward' as the violent man stomped past, despite others trying to hold him back.



As the fight escalated at the ground in Ascot, Berkshire, one woman was knocked to the ground and had her drink spilled all over her. Nearby, a man was forced to intervene as three women launched a catfight, with one lady slapping her rival and trying to shove her to the ground.

Eventually, the man was calmed down by a crowd who restrained him. Visitor Dan Ingram posted the video on Twitter with the caption: 'GOD SAVE THE QUEEN'. The video was turned into a GIF, which is now going viral.

The Queen Anne enclosure is the second most expensive at Royal Ascot and borders the Royal Enclosure, with tickets starting at £75.



The topless brawler showed flagrant disregard for the strict dress code of the enclosure, which says men must be in suits.

The incident appeared to have been fuelled by alcohol as people were shown with jugs of beer.

It comes a day after a half-naked couple were filmed having sex at Kelso Racecourse.

Last night police also detained a heavily inebriated woman in a car park at Royal Ascot after fellow racegoers complained.