Today was the second day of the 2009 races at the Royal Ascot. The festivities continued with even more horses and, of course, lovely hats.

Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Prince Philip, was pretty in hot pink and white. Also in the photos below are Prince Charles, Prince of Wales; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

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It’s that time of the year when we get to see the gorgeous fashions at the Royal Ascot Races. The British royals are, of course, out in full force in their beautiful hats. Queen Elizabeth was especially sunny during Day 1 of the races.

The five-day racing event is sure to attract not just the horse fans, but also the fashion elite. This is a see-and-be-seen event, and is a chance to show off the most outrageous hats ever seen. Not for the royals, though. The royal ladies stick to more conventional, though equally lovely, toppers, while the men keep to their tophats.

More photos below:

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Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, celebrated his 88th birthday today, June 10, 2009. He was born in Corfu to Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg.

The day was just like any other working day for the prince consort. Prince Philip met with foreign travel writers to promote British tourism, and attended a reception for the Special Boat Service Association.

Prince Philip celebrated his birthday with a private party, with just a few simple public events to commemorate it. The Scots Guards played Happy Birthday during the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Both the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company fired gun salutes.

Happy birthday, Prince Philip!!!!

Image: Zuma Press

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth was pretty in pink at the 2009 Epsom Derby on June 6, 2009. The monarch, accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, was in good spirits in spite of the rainy weather. Even her umbrella was trimmed in pink to match her coat and hat.

The Queen attended the Derby, a highlight of the British horse racing year, with high hopes for her horse, History Lesson. The horse finished fifth in its race.

More photos…

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Queen Elizabeth attended the opening of Europe’s largest tanker terminal for liquefied natural gas on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, performed the official inauguration.

The South Hook Terminal, located in Milford Haven in Wales, is a joint project of three gas companies based in three countries: Exxon Mobil (U.S.), Qatar Petroleum (Qatar) and Total (France).

The emir’s wife Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned was also present, as was Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, who accompanied Queen Elizabeth.

More photos below, including a lovely one of Her Majesty The Queen!

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Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew and Sophie (behind the wall) on Easter Sunday 2009

The British royals, minus the younger set, got together on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, for their traditional celebration at Windsor Castle’s Saint George’s Chapel.

Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex attended the morning services led by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Rev David Connor. There seemed to be a threat of rain that morning, but the royals came prepared!

Prince Charles and Camilla were reported to be in Scotland.

More photos after the cut: 

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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended the Maundy Service at Bury St Edmunds Cathedral in Suffolk on April 9, 2009. The royal couple greeted well-wishers, and gave out the traditional Maundy Money to 83 women and 83 men, representing The Queen’s 83 years. Queen Elizabeth’s wore a lovely blue outfit and hat for the event.

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Queen Elizabeth with G20 world leaders at Buckingham Palace on April 1, 2009.

Today was a busy day of meeting world leaders for Queen Elizabeth and the senior British royals.

Various dignitaries from all over the world converged on Buckingham Palace to attend a reception ahead of the official opening of the G20 meetings in London tomorrow. Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall shared the hosting duties and happily mingled with their guests.

Among the visiting leaders and their spouses are U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, China’s President Hu Jintao, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Argentina’s President Cristina Ferandez de Kirchner. Also present were British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Prince Charles is expected to speak during the G20 meetings to address global climate issues.

More photos below:

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President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle were warmly welcomed to Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

The audience today, April 1, 2009, was held ahead of the G20 summit in London. Scores of world leaders will be meeting starting tomorrow to address global issues.

As is part of protocol when leaders meet, an exchange of gifts occurred at the Palace. President Obama presented the Queen with an iPod, which included photos and videos of her trip to the U.S. in 2007, and a rare book of songs by composers Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth gave her customary signed photograph in a silver frame.

via: NYTimes; Image: INF

The statue depicts the mother of Queen Elizabeth II with a smile toward the direction of Buckingham Palace, and wearing her Order of the Garter robes. The memorial is located on The Mall near a statue of King George VI, and is surrounded by friezes showing events from the Queen Mother’s long life.

More photos of the memorial and the royal family below:

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