Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamare at the races!

The couple made their first appearance at the 2023 Royal Ascot on Friday. Although William and Kate, both 41, haveattended the famous horse racesnumerous timesin the past, this marked their debut at the event since becoming the Prince and Princess of Wales.

HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images

Prince William, Prince of Wales (L) and Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales (C) smile as they arrive in a horse-drawn carriage, part of the Royal Procession on the fourth day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting

The couple posted on Instagram, “Fantastic to be two of the 300,000 racegoers attending#Ascotthis week to celebrate Britain’s most popular race meeting.”

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi arrive at Royal Ascot 2023.Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images for Royal Ascot

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi attend day four of Royal Ascot 2023

Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images for Royal Ascot

In the third carriage was Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and the late Queen Elizabeth’s cousin Prince Michael of Kent and his wife.

In a surprise addition to the Royal Procession, actor Dame Judi Dench rode with her partner, David Mills, and the former U.S. ambassador to the U.K. William Farish, who was a close friend of the late Queen through their shared love of horses.

David Mills and Judi Dench at Royal Ascot 2023.HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images

Judi Dench (R) and her partner David Mills (L) arrive in a horse-drawn carriage, part of the Royal Procession on the fourth day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting in Ascot

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Prince William and Princess Kate gave out the prize for the Commonwealth Cup, the second race of the day.

They presented the trophy to jockey Oisin Murphy and the team behind horse Shaquille, who beat out favorite Little Big Bear to take first place.

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales arrives at Royal Ascot 2023.Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com

Catherine,Princess of Wales arrive in carriages to Day 4 of The Royal Ascot Races

Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com

The day of sport at the race meeting came two days after Prince William celebrated his 41st birthday. That day also saw the royal couple take their eldest sonPrince George, who turns 10 next month, tolook around Eton College. The private boarding school is the alma mater of William, who attended from age 13 to 18.

Kate Middleton and Princess Beatrice attend Royal Ascot 2023.HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images

Catherine, Princess of Wales (L) speaks with Britain’s Princess Beatrice of York (R) ahead of racing on the fourth day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting in Ascot

In King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation year, there’s extra symmetry with the fact that Friday’s fixtures include the Coronation Stakes. It was first run in 1840 to mark the crowning of Queen Victoria. The King and Queen have a horse, Candle of Hope, running in the fifth race, the Sandringham Stakes.

The royal family will be hoping that Prince William and Kate’s attendance inspires some more luck. The family had a successful day on Thursday when King Charles and Queen Camilla had their first victory. Their horse Desert Hero wonthe second race of the day, apparently bringing a tear to the eye of proud Charles.

King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot 2023.HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images

Queen Camilla (R) waves as they arrive in a horse-drawn carriage, part of the Royal Procession on the fourth day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting in Ascot

Thursday’s win followed in the hoof prints of the 24 winners at Royal Ascot that Charles' late motherQueen Elizabethhad over the years.

Chris Jackson/Getty

JUNE 22: King Charles II and Queen Camilla watch their horse Desert Hero win as they attend day three of Royal Ascot 2023 at Ascot Racecourse on June 22, 2023

source: people.com