For anyone who has marvelled  at the ease with which the Duchess of Cambridge has taken up her  royal role, it seems the skill simply runs in the family. Her mother Carole Middleton appeared happy and relaxed as she laughed and talked with the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot yesterday. The pair looked entirely comfortable in each other's company, sharing a joke and swapping observations as they watched the action from the royal balcony. Royal procession: The Queen and Prince Philip were accompanied in the first carriage by Sir Peter O'Sullivan, 94, a BBC racing commentator, while the Middletons followed behind in the fourth carriage
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Carole and Michael Middleton joined the monarch's carriage parade for the second year running
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Duke and Duchess of Cambridge otherwise engaged celebrating William's 30th birthday
Racing fan: The @placeholder first went to Ascot in 1945 and has attended every year since