Among the thousands of people who streamed through the gates on Thursday morning was none other than Princess Anne, adding her elegant signature to one of Britain’s most iconic sporting events.
The Princess Royal, a familiar face at Aintree, appeared right at home as she took her place in the stands on the first day of the three-day racing spectacle.
Wearing a stylish orange coat, she brought a pop of color to otherwise gray Merseyside skies.
With more than 150,000 spectators expected throughout the festival and around £250 million to be staked ahead of Saturday’s big race, the energy at Aintree was unmistakable.
Last year she attended the festival alongside her daughter, Zara Phillips, and she remains a regular visitor to Liverpool, having previously been to the city for events such as the 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 well-known names soaking up the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, racing history was quietly being written. Champion jockey Rachael Blackmore, the first woman to win the Grand National, has been honored with her own “legend” status.
