Camilla And Charles Step Up Their Fashion Game While Stepping In For The Queen At The Royal Ascot

As royal fans know, Queen Elizabeth II is 96 years old. She recently marked her 70th year as monarch with a four-day Platinum Jubilee. And, it must be noted that as of today, June 14, 2022, the royal is the second-longest serving sovereign in history after French King Louis XIV, whose reign stretched an unparalleled 72 years and 110 days. It's a pretty impressive milestone to be sure, and yet, the Queen is also privately suffering from what are being described as mobility issues as she forges ahead.

As the royal faces age-related challenges, she continues to bow out of obligations she formerly wouldn't have missed. Just take her Platinum Jubilee for instance. While she was front and center for the balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour, Queen Elizabeth was unable to attend a planned event the next day. As the palace said in a statement, "Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow's National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral, her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded not to attend" (via Page Six).

Prince William and Kate Middleton and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were on hand however during the service. Now more royal representatives are on hand to pinch hit for the Queen.

Of course, the service of thanksgiving is not the first event Queen Elizabeth has missed due to "discomfort." Remember, in May she pulled out of the opening of Parliament for related reasons. The 96-year-old also bowed out of the Epsom Derby during the Platinum Jubilee. And on Monday, the monarch was not on hand per usual for Britain's traditional and very high-profile Garter Day event (via GMA). She did however make it to a private lunch, while Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles stepped in on behalf of the senior royal.

Well, another day and another event was scheduled on the British royal calendar. June 14th marks Ascot Day in the United Kingdom, featuring a horse race called Royal Ascot that is typically attended by HRH (via Royal.uk). Sadly, it seems the Queen's ongoing issues prevented her from making the race. Stepping up to fulfill her duties? That would be Charles and Camilla, who of course are set to become King and queen consort upon the Queen's death (via Fox News and Daily Mail).

While royal fans are used to seeing the monarch lead the carriage procession around the race track on Ascot Day, today they witnessed the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall do so instead — and in their dressed-up best.

As Queen Elizabeth II watched the race — and rooted for her horse King's Lynn — from Windsor Castle, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles carried out her duties at Royal Ascot (via Daily Mail). Fans immediately began buzzing about the impressive attire the couple stepped out wearing for the high-profile event.

Camilla chose a brightly-hued coat in a stunning shade of blue by Anna Valentine and a matching hat by Philip Treacy, both of which are British designers (via Daily Mail). Of course as royal watchers know, the latter is a favorite brand of Kate Middleton (via Yahoo!). One fan tweeted that the Duchess "rocked" the look and called it "stunning." Someone else said they were obsessed with "every inch" of Camilla's outfit. 

It's worth noting that in 2021, when the Queen last attended Royal Ascot, she too donned a turquoise outfit (via Hollywood Life). Was Camilla's look a nod to her mother-in-law given her inability to attend the prestigious event?

Meanwhile, the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth, Peter Phillips, also rode in the first horse-drawn carriage on the racetrack, with both Peter and Charles donning top hats for the highly-formal photo opp.