Shropshire Star

Corrie star Helen Flanagan relishes first time at Royal Ascot

All eyes will be on the course later for the Queen’s carriage procession, signalling the start of the second day of the meet.

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Helen Flanagan

Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has spoken of her excitement at joining thousands of spectators for her first Royal Ascot.

The actress, who is on maternity leave from the hit soap, was dressed head to toe in Julien Macdonald for her day at the races.

Later, all eyes will be on the course for the Queen’s carriage procession which will signal the start of day two of the famous Berkshire meet which attracts top jockeys, trainers and owners from across the world.

Flanagan said: “I’ve been to Ascot but this is my first time at Royal Ascot and I’m really looking forward to it.

Royal Ascot
Racegoers arrive amid soggy conditions at Ascot (Jonathan Brady/PA)

“It’s the fashion I really enjoy and the day’s a chance to dress up and have some fun.”

The actress who plays Rosie Webster gave birth to daughter Delilah, aged one, last summer, and also has a four-year-old daughter Matilda, both with Celtic footballer Scott Sinclair.

Wearing a chic trouser suit and hat by Macdonald, the celebrity said: “Having the royal family here also makes it really special.”

The Queen will be joined in the royal box by the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and senior figures from the monarch’s household.

The Queen will be hoping to add to her tally of Royal Ascot winners when her horse Seniority lines up to compete in the Royal Hunt Cup.

Her first Royal Ascot victory was in the Royal Hunt Cup won by her horse Choir Boy in 1953, while her last was three years ago when Dartmouth triumphed in the Hardwicke Stakes – the monarch’s 23rd winner at the event.

The Queen arrived in her carriage procession as the rain began to fall but she and Charles did not seem to mind the wet conditions in the open-top coach but Camilla, seated beside her, put up a see-through umbrella.

Punters like to bet on the colour of the Queen’s hat and the monarch, who wore a duck egg blue outfit by Stewart Parvin and a matching Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat, picked the same hue as her appearance at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

Harry Aitkenhead from bookmakers Coral said: “Blue is definitely the colour for the Queen this week but she’s left punters feeling every inch just as blue as the gamble on pink being her day two outfit has been well and truly foiled.”

Popular jockey Frankie Dettori won the first race of the day, the Queen Mary Stakes, and received his prize from former Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Darcey Bussell.

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