Kate Middleton and Prince William will lead Royals in Ascot carriage procession today as Queen, 96, stays home

KATE Middleton and Prince William are set to join Royals at Ascot today as the Queen continues to cheer on her horses from home.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to lead the carriage procession for the Berkshire track event shortly after 2pm.



The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to make their royal appearance at Ascot today

They will be joined in the first carriage by the Honourable Mr and Mrs Vestey, while Peter Phillips will arrive in the second carriage.

But the Queen, 96, who watched yesterday’s action on the telly from Windsor, is not expected to attend.

It is likely Her Majesty, who has two horses running today, will watch from home in “her comfy clothes” – as she did when she missed Epsom Derby Day earlier this month.

And the monarch, whose runners were twice pipped at the post on Thursday’s scorching Ladies Day, will have plenty more to cheer for.

The Queen’s hot favourite Reach for the Moon and jockey Frankie Dettori were yesterday outdone by winner Claymore.

Dettori, 51, also came second on Saga — another of the Queen’s horses — while her final entry Tactical came a disappointing seventh in the final race.

It came as tens of thousands of revellers basked in unbroken sunshine as temperatures sizzled to a blistering 29C (84F) on the racing event’s world-famous Ladies Day.

And as the sun blazed on horses and racegoers alike, dozens were treated for heatstroke on the hottest day of the year so far.

One staff member said: “They were dropping like flies.”

Meanwhile, weather forecasters have warned conditions will get even hotter today.

Predicted high temperatures have meant men in all enclosures will be allowed to remove their jackets and ties once the traditional royal carriage procession has ended, usually just after 2pm.



Carrie Johnson is among those attending the fourth day of racing today

Punters are preparing for another day of scorching heat as forecasters warn temperatures will surge

The nation was willing the Queen’s horses to give her a Jubilee win at a scorching Ascot yesterday


From left, Nat Pinkham, Zara Tindall, Anna Woolhouse and Kirsty Gallacher in the royal box on Thursday

Adam Kirby riding Claymore (left) wins The Hampton Court Stakes during Royal Ascot