Zara Tindall was turned away from from Royal Ascot today in an embarrassing security blunder, it has been revealed.
The King’s niece was politely redirected towards the ticket office after attempting to gain entry through the owners’ entrance without a pass.
Zara, 45, graciously accepted the instruction from the staff member, and headed for the ticket gates.
However, the error was swiftly spotted by fellow security personnel, with one colleague rushing over to inform the guard that Princess Anne’s daughter was indeed permitted entry.
The brief mix-up was resolved within moments, the Express reports, allowing the Olympic equestrian to proceed through the royal gates.
Zara and husband Mike had arrived at the Berkshire racecourse sporting coordinating outfits, with the late Queen’s granddaughter dressed in a baby pink Rebecca Vallance dress while her husband complemented her in a matching pink tie.
The Tindalls were joined by a group of Mike’s former rugby colleagues, among them Austin Healey and Nicky Robinson.
The party exchanged pleasantries with acquaintances and admirers as they made their way towards the entrance.
Zara Tindall was turned away from from Royal Ascot today in an embarrassing security blunder, it has been revealed
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GETTY
Following the security hiccup, the 47-year-old former England international and his wife stopped to pose for assembled photographers and signed autographs for eager fans before making their way into the Royal Enclosure ahead of the opening race.
Unlike her brother and mother, Zara was not participating in the traditional royal procession through the course.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will lead the ceremonial carriage ride, sharing their landau with the Duke and Duchess of Wellington.
Zara and husband Mike had arrived at the Berkshire racecourse sporting coordinating outfits, with the late Queen’s granddaughter dressed in a baby pink Rebecca Vallance dress while her husband complemented her in a matching pink tie
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GETTY
Princess Anne, 75, is set to follow in the second carriage alongside her son Peter Phillips and his new wife Harriet.
The newlyweds, who exchanged vows on 6 June at All Saints Church in Kemble, Gloucestershire, made their first public appearance since their romantic Cotswolds wedding earlier this month.
The ceremony had been attended by the King and Queen as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
In their foreword to the official race-day programme, the King and Queen extended a warm welcome to attendees while championing the event’s environmental initiatives.
The royal couple highlighted that more than 1,200 solar panels had been fitted to the 480-metre grandstand roof since last June, describing it as a significant step in the racecourse’s sustainability efforts.
King Charles and Camilla noted that leading thoroughbreds from Europe, North America, Asia and Australasia would compete throughout the week, with audiences tuning in from nearly 200 countries.
The monarch, who secured their first Royal Ascot victory in 2023 with Desert Hero, described the meeting as a highlight for the global bloodstock industry.