Zara Tindall was visibly emotional as she described King Charles and Queen Camilla's Royal Ascot win as a "bittersweet" moment, saying Queen Elizabeth II would have been so "proud" if she had still been here to see their triumph.
This is the first Royal Ascot since The Queen passed away last year, an event which she loved dearly.
Zara told ITV: "It's bittersweet isn't it? To think how proud our Grandmother The Queen would have been but to have a winner for Charles and Camilla and keep that dream alive was incredible".
It was King Charles' first Ascot winner and the monarch seemed very moved by the result as the 18-1 shot Desert Hero won the King George V stakes, ridden by Tom Marquand.
Her Majesty was a passionate racehorse owner and Royal Ascot regular who Zara said would have been very pleased and excited for her son and his wife's victory, the Express reports.
As the monarch watched the thrilling race run for over a mile and four furlongs, Queen Camilla waved her programme in the air in excitement to see who would cross the finish line first.
Zara Tindall who pursued an equestrian career and won silver at the 2012 Olympics herself added: “I think it is a new excitement [for the King], like all those owners who come here and have a horse here, having that dream, that hope and actually fulfilling it is incredible.
“And the horses are the main game here, that’s why we get involved and we love them and the competition, and the adrenaline when you win is indescribable.”
Despite their triumph, Charles and Camilla have a long way to go until they can beat Queen Elizabeth who achieved over 20 victories during her historic 70-year reign.
The King and Queen presented the winning trophies in the Gold Cup which was the most popular race of the week that saw veteran jockey Frankie Dettori, who is soon to be retiring, win on the horse Courage Mon Ami.
Dettori was seen kissing the Queen on the cheek before throwing the trophy in the air, catching it and returning it to the table.
Desert Hero trainer William Haggas said: “What a thrill. It’s great that in the first year that the King and Queen are here as the King and Queen they can have a winner.
“It didn’t matter who it was, as long as they could have one – but I’m delighted it is us.
“They have been looking forward to Royal Ascot for a long time and they hoped to have as many runners as possible. I think they will be absolutely delighted.
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