The Princess Royal joined members of her family at Ascot on Tuesday

As Princess Anne made her way to Royal Ascot on Tuesday, a carriage “mishap” reportedly caused a brief delay in the royal procession.

The prestigious five-day event kicked off on June 17 with an unexpected malfunction when Princess Anne‘s carriage encountered an issue as it passed through Cheapside, Berkshire, en route to the Ascot Racecourse.

The moment was witnessed by locals who had gathered in the village to see the royal procession.
Princess Anne’s carriage reportedly suffered a minor malfunction on the way to Royal Ascot (Credit: Coverr Images)

Princess Anne’s carriage suffers ‘mishap’ on the way to Royal Ascot

According to Ascot resident Paul Arora, who spoke exclusively to Express, it was a “quintessential English scene”: a sun-drenched village, cheering schoolchildren and royals in horse-drawn carriages, until one of the horses leading Princess Anne’s carriage broke its reins.

“We noted it had caused a delay for a few minutes. Royal aides rushed to help fix the problem, which they appeared to do so very efficiently,” Paul recalled.

“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!”

Royal aides rushed to help fix the problem, which they appeared to do so very efficiently.

The affected second carriage carried Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, and Mrs. Annabel Elliot, the sister of Queen Camilla.

As aides worked swiftly to resolve the issue, the first carriage, carrying King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud, and Lady Sarah Keswick, waited further up the hill to allow time for the situation to be handled discreetly.

Despite the minor delay, the royals resumed the journey to Ascot Racecourse shortly after.
Anne took part in the royal procession behind King Charles and Queen Camilla (Credit: Cover Images)

Royal Ascot Day One

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Royal Ascot carriage procession. The tradition was started in 1825 by King George IV and has remained a hallmark of the British summer season ever since.

Following Princess Anne’s group in the third carriage were Peter Phillips and his girlfriend Harriet Sperling, alongside celebrated author Anthony Horowitz and his wife.

The fourth carriage contained Mr. Henry Morton Jack, Lady Joanna Morton Jack, Lord Vestey, and Lady Vestey.

Writing in the official Royal Ascot programme, King Charles and Queen Camilla said: “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.”

That victory, of course, was Desert Hero’s win in the King George V Stakes in 2023.

This was a particularly sentimental triumph, as Charles and Camilla inherited Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved racing stable upon her passing.

The late monarch was a lifelong enthusiast of horse racing. She celebrated more than 20 Royal Ascot wins during her 70-year reign.
The king and queen were also in attendance (Credit: Cover Images)

Royals at Ascot

While Princess Anne overcame her minor carriage mishap, other royals made appearances on the first day.

Princess Beatrice, Zara Tindall and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, were all in attendance. However, none rode in the royal procession.

Sophie, 60, was spotted chatting with friends Rosie Collins, David and Fiona Howden, and Dominic Collins.

Meanwhile, Zara and husband Mike Tindall were seen enjoying the event alongside Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

On day two of Ascot on June 18, the Prince of Wales will make his first appearance. However, his wife Kate, Princess of Wales, won’t be in attendance as she continues to balance public appearances with her cancer recovery.