Tea at Trianon: Royal Ascot 2023

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Royal Ascot 2023

His Majesty King Charles III

Her Majesty Queen Camilla

From Hello!:

Royal Ascot remains to be one of the Royal Family's most anticipated yearly events. The late Queen Elizabeth II always enjoyed attending the lavish outing, with a number of her own horses previously competing. This year is an extra special one for the family, as it marks the first Ascot since King Charles and Queen Camilla were coronated on 6 May. It is also the first time that Charles will see a number of his own horses competing in the races. The royal couple have certainly made the most of the exciting event, having been in attendance since Tuesday when it kicked off. The King and Queen have been captured socialising with their fellow royal family members including Princess Anne, Zara and Mike Tindall and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. (Read more.)

More from Hello! HERE and HERE.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

From Tatler:

The action continues at Royal Ascot – and royals including the Duchess of Edinburgh, Zara Tindall and Lady Sarah Chatto are leading the fashion pack. The perfect occasion to don the finest millinery and British garden-inspired regalia, the event acts as a sparkling competition of best dressed among the upper crust of high society – and 2023’s edition is a dazzling display of regal talent.
Zara Tindall was first to claim the crown of the most marvellous outfit on day one. Donning a decadent balloon-sleeved, point-collared dress decorated in green and peach lilies from Australian designer Leo Lin, Princess Anne’s equestrian daughter certainly wasn’t horsing around when it came to the fashion game. Accessorising with a bespoke boater from British hatmaker Sarah Cant, the royal roused the crowd with a classically chic splendour. The glamour continued on day two, with her navy dress and statement emerald green hat.
On Thursday, the Duchess of Edinburgh proved she is not to be outdone and brought a fabulous flourish of florals to proceedings in a dress by go-to label Suzannah London. She was accompanied by her father, Christopher Rhys Jones. (Read more.)

Princess Beatrice with her Italian Count and the Tindalls

The Princess Royal

Princess Anne, on another day at the races, with husband and guests

The Prince and Princess of Wales with Count Mapelli-Mozzi

And one of the Their Majesties' horses won! From Blood Horse:

Desert Hero gave the King and Queen a historic success at Royal Ascot in the royal silks, winning the June 22 King George V Stakes at odds of 18-1. The 3-year-old colt pounced late under Tom Marquand to win on the line from Valiant King and provide King Charles III with a first success at the royal meeting since the death of Queen Elizabeth II last September.
The winner was trained by William Haggas, who was in the royal procession before racing on Wednesday. It was just the King's fourth runner at Royal Ascot this week and more than twice the odds of his first three. The late Queen bred the chestnut son of Sea The Stars .

The King collected the prize with Queen Camilla, who could be seen close to tears in TV pictures of the royal box in the aftermath of the surprise win. Zara Tindall, granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, said the victory was bittersweet for the royal family.

She said to ITV: "Think how proud our grandmother, the Queen, would've been. To have a winner for Charles and Camilla and keep that dream alive was incredible. It's a new excitement. Like all those owners that come here and have a horse here having that dream, that hope, and then fulfilling it is incredible. (Read more.)