Among the thousands of people through the gates on Thursday morning was none other than Princess Anne, adding her signature elegance to one of Britain’s most iconic sporting events.
The Princess Royal, a familiar face at Aintree, felt right at home as she took her place in the stands on the first day of the three-day racing spectacle.
Dressed in a smart orange coat, she brought a pop of color to a gray Merseyside sky.
With more than 150,000 racegoers expected throughout the festival and an estimated £250 million up for grabs ahead of Saturday’s big race, the energy at Aintree was unmistakable.
Last year she attended the festival with her daughter, Zara Phillips, and remains a regular visitor to Liverpool, having previously traveled to the city for events such as a visit to Cunard’s Queen Anne cruise ship.
Football legend Sir Alex Ferguson, former England striker Michael Owen, Olympic gold medalist Sam Quek and Coronation Street stars Lucy Fallon and Charlotte Jordan were among the household names to soak up the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, racing history was quietly being made. Champion jockey Rachael Blackmore, the first woman to win the Grand National, was honored with her own “legend” status.
