EXCLUSIVE: The King’s niece was turned away from the gates of Royal Ascot after a security guard failed to recognise her.
Zara Tindall turned away by Royal Ascot staff
Zara Tindall was turned away from the gates of Royal Ascot this afternoon after a security guard failed to realise who she was. Zara was accompanied by husband Mike and his rugby friends including Austin Healey and Nicky Robinson as the group chatted warmly with acquaintances and well-wishers on their arrival.
After attempting to enter via the owners’ entrance, Zara was directed towards the ticket office due to not having a pass and politely acknowledged the instruction. The mistake by the well-meaning security guard was quickly seized upon by colleagues, with one rushing over to inform the member of staff that the King’s niece was most certainly able to enter.
The pair posed for pictures with waiting press and signed autographs for opportunistic passersby before entering the Royal Enclosure ahead of the first race.
Zara Tindall was forced to wait outside Ascot Racecourse (Image: Conor Wilson)
Zara’s uncle, King Charles, is expected to attend Royal Ascot later on Tuesday as he is named as race trophy presenter, as is her mother the Princess Royal.
Writing the foreword to the official race-day programme, the King and Queen wished racegoers a “thrilling” week of action at Royal Ascot as they championed the famous meet’s green credentials.
Charles and Camilla described how the major racing event attracts some of the best horses from across the globe ridden by leading jockeys and watched by vast television audiences.
Known for supporting measures tackling climate change, the King, together with the Queen, highlighted how since last June, 1,200 solar panels had been installed on the grandstand’s roof – “another important step in the racecourse’s sustainability journey”.
The royal couple said in the programme: “We wish you a very warm welcome to Royal Ascot, which promises to deliver another spectacular week of racing.
Princess Anne’s daughter was stopped by staff at Royal Ascot today (Image: Conor Wilson)
“Some of the best horses from Europe, North America, Asia and Australasia are expected to run this week and they will be watched by viewers in close to 200 countries.”
Royal Ascot in Berkshire is as much a social occasion as a sporting event and racegoers are known for wearing eye-catching hats, stylish summer dresses and top hat and tails as champagne and pints are consumed as bets are placed.
Charles and Camilla said: “Since last June, over 1,200 solar panels have been installed on the 480-metre-long roof of the grandstand – this marks another important step in the racecourse’s sustainability journey.
“The global bloodstock industry sees the Royal Meeting as a highlight of the year and some horses that succeed in this fiercely competitive week will influence the breed for generations to come.”
The royal couple took on the late Queen’s stable of horses and have become enthusiastic racehorse owners and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot win in 2023 when their thoroughbred Desert Hero won the King George V Stakes.
