A day out with the Queen is usually quite the formal affair, but things turned a little chaotic for Kate and Sophie Wessex today during the carriage parade at Royal Ascot.
Sophie, 52, seemed to lose her footing as she stood up in her carriage and almost fell on to the Duchess of Cambridge who was sitting opposite her.
Quick-thinking Kate shot her arms out to break the fall, with both women laughing uproariously as Sophie, dressed in a green frock by Emilia Wickstead, regained her balance.
Despite temperatures soaring to almost 30C, Kate kept her cool in a white lace outfit by Alexander McQueen as she joined the Queen and Prince William at Royal Ascot.
Kate, 35, stunned in a bespoke lace dress by her favourite designer Alexander McQueen, complete with a matching hat.
Meanwhile, Her Majesty defied the bookies’ predictions that she’d wear blue by making her entrance in a lime green crepe coat by Stuart Parvin and a lime green dress with a floral design, with a hat to match by Rachel Trevor Morgan.
Sophie and Kate laugh uproariously as the Countess loses her balance and stumbles forward before being caught by Kate
The Countess of Wessex took a tumble as she stood up in the carriage, almost falling on to the Duchess of Cambridge
Both women saw the funny side as Kate was forced to steady her royal counterpart while William laughed in the background
The Duchess of Cambridge, 35, stunned in a bespoke white lace dress by Alexander McQueen for her appearance at Royal Ascot
Kate shares a joke with Sophie Wessex, who also chose green like her mother-in-law the Queen
Her Majesty was predicted by the bookies to wear blue, but upset the odds by opting for green instead
Princess Beatrice opted for a softer look than her sister in an embellished dress and a dusky pink hat
Kate gets a warm welcome from Zara Tindall who is godmother to her son Prince George
Camilla kept her cool in a white outfit and a matching hat trimmed with ostrich feathers
The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William steal a quite moment for a chat after the carriage procession
Lovely in lace! Kate showed off her trim figure in bespoke Alexander McQueen, while Beatrice also opted for a summery white outfit
Kate’s mother Carole Middleton looked glamorous in pale blue as she made her way to the Royal Enclosure
Carole Middleton, 62, looked incredibly youthful in a pastel blue dress from Goat, teamed with a matching hat
Prince William and Kate prepare to present a trophy to the riders. This year marks their second visit to the festival after making their debut last year
Carole Middleton was joined in the parade ring by her husband Michael, 67, who looked dapper in a top hat and tails
The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles present the St James’s Palace Stakes during Royal Ascot 2017
Prince Charles presents the St James’s Palace Stakes to jockey James Doyle (L) during Royal Ascot 2017
Prince Charles cracks a joke as he shares a laugh with jockey James Doyle at the prestigious event
It was a family affair for the royals with Kate’s mother Carole, 62, joining the party in the Royal Enclosure, looking elegant in a pastel blue dress by Goat.
The 62-year-old looked unbelievably youthful in the midi length frock with a scalloped neckline, teamed with an chic matching hat, and was joined by her husband Michael who was dapper in a top hat and tails.
Princess Eugenie and her sister Beatrice were also in attendance, along with Prince Charles and Camilla.
