Back on top form: Prince Philip laughs with the Queen and shares tips with Carole Middleton on Ladies Day at a rainy Royal Ascot

Carole and Michael Middleton arrived at Ascot in style today as they joined the Queen for her daily Royal carriage procession.
Waving and smiling to the crowds as they entered the parade ground, the two looked delighted to be part of the pageantry.
Sat in the fourth carriage along with Ronald Arculli, head of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the two smiled and waved as they entered the royal race course, delighted to be part of the pageantry for the second year running.
The Queen and Prince Philip were joined in the first carriage by Sir Peter O'Sullevan, 94, a BBC racing commentator who gave his last commentary on the Hennessey Gold cup in 1974, and John Warren, the Queen's bloodstock and racing advisor, who keeps the monarch abreast of her horses' training and performance
The Queen, wearing a mint green coat by Stewart Parvin and hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan, looked perfectly cheerful as she popped up her colour-matched Fulton umbrella when the heavens opened.

Royal procession: The Queen and Prince Philip were accompanied in the first carriage by Sir Peter O'Sullivan, 94, a BBC racing commentator, while the Middletons followed behind in the fourth carriage

Big day: The Middletons' appearance at Royal Ascot is a clear sign of their acceptance into the inner circle of the Royal Family

Good relations: The Duke of Edinburgh and Carole Middleton share a joke whilst watching the Queen present the prize for the Gold Cup

All smiles: Carole was clearly tickled by what Prince Philip had to say

Ooh I say! Everyone is dying to know what Prince Philip's clearly hilarious remark could have been

Good company: Carole was flanked by Ronald Arculli, head of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and Prince Philip

Checking the form: Carole picks her horses ahead of the day's racing from the comfort of the royal box

Tense moment: Carole watches the race action with Michael by her side

On parade: Carole Middleton wore a crimson suit and matching hat with sweeping brim to join the Royal procession by personal invitation of the Queen

Guests of honour: The Middletons were in the fourth carriage, accompanied by Ronald Arculli, left, former head of the Hong Kong stock exchange and head of the Hong Kong Jockey club

Solo engagement: The Middletons attended without their daughter Kate, who was otherwise engaged helping William celebrate his 30th birthday. It was the first time the Middletons had attended a public Royal event without the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Runs in the family: The colour of Carole's dress was reminiscent of the red worn by Kate for the Jubilee flotilla

The four esteemed carriage members, with an impressive combined age of 320, were in very high spirits as they laughed and joked their way down the parade route.

 

While many assumed her appearance with husband, Michael, last June was a one-off event to mark the royal wedding, the couple’s appearance in the traditional parade from Windsor Castle to the race track at the personal request of the monarch sealed their place at the heart of the Royal Family.
Mrs Middleton, 57, looked striking in a scene-stealing pillar-box red dress and matching jacket with a matching wide-brimmed hat tilted off her face – all of which was enough to satisfy this year’s eagle-eyed fashion police.
Her husband, Michael, was dapper in a morning suit and top hat, both required dress for any man in the Royal Enclosure.
As they approached the cheering crowds, both Mr and Mrs Middleton joined the Queen in waving to well-wishers – although occasionally Carole broke off to hold onto her hat.
The monarch took her place on the royal balcony in time to watch her horse Momentary run in the 3.05pm Ribblesdale Stakes.
Her jockey Hayley Turner, who had been bidding to be the first female to win a race at Royal Ascot since Gay Kelleway rode Sprowston Boy to victory in 1987, was unlucky on the day, coming in third last.
An easy victory was taken by Princess Highway, who won by six lengths.

Racing fan: The Queen first went to Ascot in 1945 and has attended every year since

The Queen was entirely unperturbed by the inclement weather and laughed and joked with Prince Philip as their carriage entered the parade ground

And they're off: The Queen and Prince Philip, in fine form following his admission to hospital just two weeks ago, walk towards the royal balcony ahead of the Ribblesdale Stakes today

'She's fresh and well, there's no reason why she shouldn't win,' Hayley said of the Queen's filly, Momentary, ahead of the race.

It's a huge honour to be riding today. I'm hugely grateful, she added.

'It's nice to go out there into the paddock to meet the Queen. 'I've met her a few times now so we have a routine. The Queen is very relaxed, she loves talking about horses and is very knowledgeable.

Each year the sovereign holds a week-long ‘house party’ at Windsor, her favourite residence, to celebrate the historic royal race meet, inviting a small group of her closest friends and associates to join her.

The Middletons enjoyed a private lunch with her and other members of the Royal Family, including the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, at the castle beforehand, before taking their place in the last of the four landaus which made their way down the Long Walk to the Berkshire course.
Following behind the royal carriage, the Princess Royal and Princess Beatrice were joined by Jeremy Richardson, who for many years ran the injured jockeys fund.
In the third carriage rode Princess Eugenie, accompanied by the Right Honourable Edward Tollemache - Godson of the Prince of Wales - with his wife Sophie, and Major Peter Flynn, the equerry for the Prince of Wales.
In the final carriage, Michael and Carole Middleton were accompanied by the chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey club.

Following on: Princess Anne, wearing the same suit she wore for Kate and William's wedding last year, travelled with Princess Beatrice in the carriage behind the Queen and Prince Philip

Ruling the waves: The Princess Royal arriving with Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice looked stunning in a red and cream Erdem dress, a designer favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge, worn with nude YSL platforms and a red silk Christian Louboutin clutch

Princess Beatrice looked trimmer than ever in a dress by Erdem, with a hat by Noel Steward and YSL cream stilettoes.
She carried a red silk Louboutin clutch bag.
Princess Eugenie wore a Paule Ka pink and black dress, Louboutin heels with an eye-catching silver heel detail and a Stephen Jones hat.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge do not plan to attend as they are otherwise occupied celebrating William's 30th birthday.
Prince Charles, usually in attendance on this day that sees the Prince of Wales Stakes run, was not able to attend due to a prior engagement with the Duchess of Cornwall and Aung San Suu Kyi, who is on a 10 day tour of the UK.
Sophie Wessex was present for the third consecutive day, dressed in a taupe skirt suit with matching hat.

Taking style tips from the Queen? Princess Eugenie paired her pastel suit with black accessories

Pretty in pink: Eugenie paired her Ladies Day look with a very impressive pair of Christian Louboutin heels, right

Arrivals: Princess Eugenie was in the third carriage with the Right Honourable Edward Tollemarche, godson of Prince Charles, and his wife Sophie

In the year that has passed since their eldest daughter famously married into the Royal Family, the Middletons have been welcomed by the Queen with open arms.
Indeed the warm affection and genuine enthusiasm the monarch has shown towards the couple has taken even seasoned courtiers by surprise.
She has let it be known that she thinks the family have conducted themselves ’impeccably’ since news of the royal engagement was announced – despite claims that the party goods business they run, Party Pieces, has cashed in on keynote royal events - and demonstrated her approval by inviting them both to a number of ‘inner sanctum’ events.
These include a private ‘getting to know you’ lunch at Windsor Castle the week before April’s royal wedding as well as Ascot week.
She also ensured the couple and their other children, Pippa and James, were invited to join her royal flotilla at the Diamond Jubilee river pageant.
Kate also secured her parents tickets to the after show party at Buckingham Palace following the celebratory jubilee pop concert the following day.

Family affair: The Countess of Wessex shared a conversation with Prince Michael and Princess Michael of Kent, and the three  sheltered under large umbrellas as the weather worsened 

Mark of respect: The Countess of Wessex, her father Christopher Rhys Jones and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent curtsey and bow to the Queen as she arrives at the parade ground

The Countess of Wessex topped off her taupe suit with a stunning bow-trimmed Jane Taylor hat

What a sight! The beautifully dressed crowds at Ascot Ladies Day

Drying up: An Ascot worker wipes the rain off benches in the Grandstand before the first arrivals

Jubilee spirit: A bench decorated with a Union flag makes a striking statement in the Grandstand

Sisyphean tasks: As the rain comes down, an Ascot worker attempts to dry the chairs off ready for people to arrive, while RIGHT, another prepares the course the old fashioned way

Royal race: Pat Smullen riding Princess Highway won the Ribblesdale Stakes, while the Queen's filly Momentary, ridden by Hayley Turner, came in third last

Johnny Depp was 'getting close to multiple women' including his PUBLICIST before his split from Vanessa Paradis was made official

As he grows closer to his Rum Diary star Amber Heard, it's being reported that Johnny Depp was spending time with other beautiful women as his 14 year union with Vanessa Paradis crumbled.
Depp, 49 , was forced to deny rumours that he was involved with his Dark Shadows co-star Eva Green who he shared a sensational, supernatural love scene with in the Tim Burton flop.
But a report suggests that he has struck up a more serious bond with his pretty publicist, Robin Baum.

Close: It's been reported that Johnny Depp and his publicist Robin Baum formed a relationship that went beyond work

'Robin and Johnny spend a lot of time together obviously because of work but their relationship seems to be getting much closer than just business,' a source told RadarOnline.com.
'Robin is twice divorced and a mom but she and Johnny really seem to have some kind of crazy connection that goes way beyond a professional level.
'They travel a lot together for work and get to spend a lot of time together and they definitely have a total flirty vibe between them. I would put money on them having more than just a friendly relationship.'

Be-Witched: Johnny described Dark Shadows co-star Eva Green (middle next to fellow cast member Michelle Pfeiffer) as a 'different breed of human'

They added that Johnny's French partner Paradis was aware of the close relationship between her partner and Robin... and wasn't happy about it.
'She knew that Johnny and Robin were together a lot and she didn’t like it, but there was nothing she could do because it was a working relationship she was told,' the source said.
But currently, bisexual actress Heard, 26, is a 'regular visitor' to the New Mexico set of The Lone Ranger where Depp is currently filming.
And Johnny, who made an official announcement that he had split from partner of 14 years Vanessa Paradis on Tuesday, is even said to have bought Heard a horse so they can ride together, according to a report in Globe magazine.

More than friends? Amber has been visiting Johnny on the New Mexico set of The Lone Ranger, it has been reported

A source claims Depp is smitten by the Hitchcock blonde, and reportedly said:' When I first saw Amber, it was like seeing an old-time movie star like Lauren Bacall.'
The American actress who was born in Austin, Texas, previously worked as a model and before starring in The Rum Diary alongside Depp had had small roles in a number of films.
She attended a Catholic school in Austin until her junior year, then the ambitious teen left to pursue a career in Hollywood.
Heard was active in her school's drama department and appeared in local commercials and campaigns.

On screen romance: Depp and Heard seen in a scene from movie The Rum Diary

While she was raised a Catholic, after the death of her best friend died in a car crash Heard declared herself an atheist.
Heard has described her role as Johnny Depp's love interest in the film, The Rum Diary, as 'the best experience of my life.'
She gushed to magazine Dazed about Depp: 'He’s such a wonderful presence; he is enigmatic and compelling and a true artist, seriously intelligent and incredibly sensitive.
'Everybody on set respects and likes him, which says a lot about an actor. It’s a grueling job at times and the stress level that everybody feels in the industry is intense – but it doesn’t affect Johnny.
'It seems like he has time to look everybody in the eye and I like that, it was wonderful to see.'

Johnny's partner Vanessa was noticeable absent from the star's side as he hit the promotional trail, seen here with Amber at the premiere of Rum Diary in London last year

The 26-year-old actress's profile is set to rise as she recently joined the case of  thriller Paranoia as the female lead alongside Gary Oldman, Harrison Ford, and Liam Hemsworth. 
She also recently landed a role as an assassin in the sequel Machete Kills.
Vanessa and Johnny had not been pictured together in public for months, but the Dark Shadows star insisted last month that there was no truth to talk of a split.
'The rumours are not true,' he told The Sun newspaper. 'They are absolutely not true.'
'No matter what I say about this, people believe the opposite. I can’t say enough about it not being over,' he said.

It's over: Depp's spokesperson finally ended months of speculation by revealing that Depp and Paradis, seen here in 2010, had split

Despite Johnny's denials, a number of publications carried pictures and reports that he and Heard enjoyed a trip together to Las Vegas on a private plane.
Depp was in town promoting Dark Shadows, and Vanessa was nowhere to be seen.
It's unclear why Amber was in the gambling town.
Amber was alleged to have joined Johnny in Vegas, and was pictured boarding his private plane the next day.
Johnny and Vanessa have declined to appear at their respective premieres and public events together recently, with the French actress attending her premiere, of Café de Flore in Paris alone, and not accompanying the actor on promotional duties for Dark Shadows.
They are parents to Lily Rose,12, and ten-year-old Jack.

Romance? Depp, seen here earlier this month, and Amber, at a red carpet event on June 1st