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RIGHT ROYAL SEND OFF

Queen Camilla pays sweet tribute to late Elizabeth II as she joins Frankie Dettori on his final day of racing at Ascot

QUEEN Camilla cut an elegant figure today as she attended British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse.

Her Royal Majesty was dressed in an emerald green dress coat and matching hat as she arrived at the racecourse to celebrate Frankie Dettori’s final day of racing in Britain.

Queen Camilla was elegant in emerald at British Champions Day at Ascot racecourse today
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Queen Camilla was elegant in emerald at British Champions Day at Ascot racecourse todayCredit: Reuters
Camilla was greeted by Frankie Dettori on his final day of racing in Britain
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Camilla was greeted by Frankie Dettori on his final day of racing in BritainCredit: Reuters
The Queen Consort paid a touching tribute to the late Queen by wearing a badge that had been gifted to her on her 90th birthday
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The Queen Consort paid a touching tribute to the late Queen by wearing a badge that had been gifted to her on her 90th birthdayCredit: AFP

In honour of the occasion the Queen Consort, who attended the event alone, was pictured wearing a small diamante horse brooch at Ascot today.

The brooch pays a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law as it was gifted to her in 2016 on her 90th birthday.

The brooch, commissioned by the Racing Post newspaper and made by Birmingham-based jewellers Alabaster & Wilson Ltd.

During her visit The Queen, 76, unveiled a specially commissioned statue created by Tristram Lewis of the Italian jockey to celebrate the three-time champion.

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The royal appeared to be in high spirits as she chatted with Dettori of whom she is no stranger.

The jockey famously broke royal protocol by planting a kiss on the newly crowned Queen in June after winning the Gold Cup.

Dettori is no stranger to the royals - as he rode horses for the late Queen for 30 years.

This year was the first out of his nine wins where he has not been presented the Ascot Gold Cup by the late Queen.

Today sees the jockey bid farewell to racing.

The Italian icon announced a shock retirement U-turn on October 12 as he looks to continue his illustrious career in the US from next year.

Speaking in a short video on Twitter, he said: "Hi everyone, it's Frankie here. I'm in London for British Champions Day which will be my last one I had in England.

"But a scoop for you guys, I've decided to prolong my career, I'm going to go to the United States from next year.

"Keep on following me."

Dettori's final race in Britain comes on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday, October 21.

The legendary Italian will not ride in all six races, however, as he'll sign off in the Champion Stakes in the penultimate race.

The Queen unveiled a specially commissioned statue created by Tristram Lewis of the Italian jockey to celebrate the three-time champion
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The Queen unveiled a specially commissioned statue created by Tristram Lewis of the Italian jockey to celebrate the three-time championCredit: Rex
Dettori's final race will take place today
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Dettori's final race will take place todayCredit: AFP
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