The sport of queens

CAMILLA AT CHELTENHAM

- BY CHRIS RICHES at Cheltenham

Copycat Carole wears hat worn by daughter Catherine in 2020

QUEEN Camilla ruled the fashion stakes at the Cheltenham Festival yesterday as the horse racing event restored Ladies Day to the calendar.

The royal sported a dramatic black Philip Treacy hat with sweeping feather details that accessorised a stylish camel coat by Anna Valentine layered over a brown suede skirt.

Camilla's winning ensemble helped mark the return of Ladies Day to the "Greatest Show on Turf" after a seven-year gap. It was axed in 2019 and replaced by Style Wednesday, drawing accusations of being "woke".

The Queen, who serves as joint patron of the Jockey Club, was greeted by "Queen of the Fences" Rachael Blackmore, the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022 and the Grand National in 2021. Camilla congratulated Rachael, 36, who is expecting her first child after retiring last year.

The Queen, 78, exclaimed: "Oh, wow, congratulations, Rachael."

The former jockey replied: "I know, a bit different to the career!"