Prince William and Queen Camilla attend Royal Ascot together in absence of King Charles and Princess Kate

Prince William was accompanied by Queen Camilla in the traditional carriage procession as they both smiled and waved for the camera.

Camilla looked stunning at the event as she donned a royal blue dress with white frills on the front.

She paired the dress with a huge race day hat and a vivid blue broach that matched the outfit perfectly.

William looked equally as smart in a full suit and top hat.

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The appearance shows the close bond that the pair have developed in recent years.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Princess Kate had been diagnosed with a form of cancer and was taking a step back from public duties to recover.

She appeared at the Trooping the Colour on Saturday but has been absent from the first two days of Royal Ascot.

The King did appear at the first day of Royal Ascot yesterday alongside Camilla but was not at the racecourse today.

King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer earlier this year but has slowly begun to return to royal duties.

Last year, King Charles seemed very emotional when a horse bred by his mother the late Queen Elizabeth II, Desert Hero, clinched victory in the King George V Stakes.

Desert Hero is set to return to Royal Ascot this year, alongside three other horses owned by the Royal Family.

The King, 75, reportedly told courtiers he wants to honour the memory of his late mother by attending this summer's Royal Ascot.

King Charles planned to spend "at least" one day at the racing festival and will host a lunch for a select "bubble" of friends and family.

Earlier in the year a source told The Mail: "Ascot is the perfect event for his current 'bubble'-style distancing preferences – there will be lots of fresh air and plenty of chances to be seen by royal fans who will be desperate to get a glimpse."

The couple, joined by the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, waved to the crowds in the grandstand - 500 schoolchildren from 23 schools among them - for the first of five days of racing.