Duchess Sophie's 94-year-old father joins her at Royal Ascot ahead of birthday
Christopher has also joined the royal family at Cheltenham Races and the Windsor Horse Show
Duchess Sophie was accompanied by her 94-year-old father, Christopher Rhys-Jones, at Royal Ascot on Thursday — a rare public appearance that came just one day before his birthday.
The Duchess of Edinburgh attended the prestigious Berkshire racing event alongside her husband, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, with Christopher joining the family for what has become a familiar fixture in his calendar.
A family occasion at Ascot
Christopher appeared in good spirits throughout the day, mingling with members of the royal family and sharing a conversation with Prince Edward. Sophie cut an elegant figure in a black dress paired with a statement hat, while her father dressed for the occasion in a striped suit.
The retired sales director is no stranger to the royal racing circuit and has attended Royal Ascot with his daughter on numerous occasions over the years. He was also present at the event in 2025 and has joined the family at other high-profile occasions, including the Cheltenham Races and the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Christopher's introduction to royal life was, by all accounts, something of a shock. Royal author Sean Smith previously recounted his now-famous reaction to learning that Sophie had begun a relationship with Prince Edward.
"When Sophie dropped the bombshell that she was going out with Prince Edward, her father memorably remarked, 'It was the first time in my life that I needed a gin and tonic before ten o'clock'," Smith revealed.
