Zara Tindall braves the rain at Cheltenham Racecourse with Mike and Prince Harry's former confidante Natalie Pinkham for day one of the festival
- The couple put on an elegant display outside the Cheltenham-based racecourse
- READ MORE: Princess Beatrice looks elegant in navy and burgundy while dining out with friends at celebrity favourite Scott's
Zara and Mike Tindall looked elegant in formal wear as they arrived at Cheltenham Racecourse for the first day of the festival earlier today.
Princess Anne's daughter, 42, and her former rugby ace husband, 45, braved the damp conditions as they posed for photographs.
Zara and Mike looked suitably glamorous as they arrived at the event this morning in coordinated attire.
The mother-of-three wrapped up in a £369 blue cape coat from Karen Millen and a matching navy polo neck jumper. The coat featured a thick matching belt that cinched her in at the waist.
The former equestrian - who won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics - paired her dress with a stylish headpiece - a £365 grey fascinator with a chic decorative quill from Victoria Charles.
![Zara and Mike put on a elegant display for the first day of the event in matching navy ensembles](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/11/82357107-13187035-image-a-29_1710244776431.jpg)
Zara and Mike put on a elegant display for the first day of the event in matching navy ensembles
![Zara Tindall looked glamorous as she arrived at Cheltenham Racecourse for the first day of the festival today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82357113-13187035-Zara_Tindall_looked_glamorous_as_she_arrived_at_Cheltenham_Racec-a-2_1710267704736.jpg)
Zara Tindall looked glamorous as she arrived at Cheltenham Racecourse for the first day of the festival today
The royal finished off her outfit with a £345 navy croc leather bag from Fairfax & Favor, $950 (£744) suede over-the-knee boots from Stuart Weitzman, and a matching pair of gloves to protect her against the cold.
Meanwhile, Mike looked equally dapper in a navy overcoat, blue suit and navy baker boy hat.
Princess Anne's newly-appointed lady-in-waiting Dolly Maude, 51, arrived at the festival shortly after Zara and Mike.
Dolly, who famously helped deliver Zara's third child Lucas on a bathroom floor when her birthing plan went awry in 2021, looked chic in a bottle green ensemble.
Today marks the first of four days at Cheltenham Racecourse, namely Champion Day. The event witnesses a Jump Racing competition, with each competitor striving to get the highest hurdle result.
Tomorrow, many visitors will compete for the status of best dressed at 'Style Wednesday', a competition previously known as Ladies Day.
The prestigious second day of the four-day event is known for attracting a host of royals and celebrities alike as they show off their fashion prowess while enjoying a day out at the races in Gloucestershire.
Some excited racegoers even start planning their outfits for the popular occasion six or so months in advance.
![The daughter of Princess Anne completed her look with a simple yet chic grey fascinator with a decorative branch](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/11/82357111-13187035-image-a-30_1710244780335.jpg)
The daughter of Princess Anne completed her look with a simple yet chic grey fascinator with a decorative branch
![Television presenter Natalie Pinkham (pictured left) accompanied Zara to the Cheltenham Racecourse today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82368973-13187035-Television_presenter_Natalie_Pinkham_pictured_left_accompanied_Z-a-7_1710267705123.jpg)
Television presenter Natalie Pinkham (pictured left) accompanied Zara to the Cheltenham Racecourse today
![The daughter of Princess Anne appeared animated as she burst into laughter with close friends at the event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82368981-13187035-The_daughter_of_Princess_Anne_appeared_animated_as_she_burst_int-a-1_1710267704664.jpg)
The daughter of Princess Anne appeared animated as she burst into laughter with close friends at the event
![Princess Anne's newly-appointed lady-in-waiting Dolly Maude arrived at the Cheltenham event shortly after Zara and Mike](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82360073-13187035-Princess_Anne_s_newly_appointed_lady_in_waiting_Dolly_Maude_arri-a-3_1710267705007.jpg)
Princess Anne's newly-appointed lady-in-waiting Dolly Maude arrived at the Cheltenham event shortly after Zara and Mike
![Mike put his arm around Zara as he braved the rain and posed for photographs in the damp conditions](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82357109-13187035-Mike_put_his_arm_around_Zara_as_he_braved_the_rain_and_posed_for-a-5_1710267705034.jpg)
Mike put his arm around Zara as he braved the rain and posed for photographs in the damp conditions
![The mother-of-three wrapped up warm in a navy coat and a pair of trendy knee-high suede boots](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82358605-13187035-The_mother_of_three_wrapped_up_warm_in_a_navy_coat_and_a_pair_of-a-4_1710267705033.jpg)
The mother-of-three wrapped up warm in a navy coat and a pair of trendy knee-high suede boots
The day will include the Slow Fashion awards, open to both men and women, which 'celebrates vintage and borrowed items, as well as investment pieces'.
Tomorrow's Style Wednesday has been billed as 'fast horses, slow fashion. The style is timeless and the glamour matches the glory,' on the Jockey Club's website.
Explaining the Slow Fashion awards, it adds that the event will 'celebrate vintage and borrowed items, as well as investment pieces that can be passed down through generations.
'We encourage all racegoers to showcase their unique and personal style, and to share the stories behind their amazing outfits with friends, family, and on social media.
'The awards are open to both men and women, and we can't wait to see the incredible fashion on display!'
![Zara completed her look with a chic £365 grey headpiece with a black quill from Victoria Charles](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82363275-13187035-Zara_completed_her_look_with_a_chic_365_grey_headpiece_with_a_bl-a-6_1710267705034.jpg)
Zara completed her look with a chic £365 grey headpiece with a black quill from Victoria Charles
![The mother-of-three wrapped up in a £369 navy wool cape coat with a belted waist from Karen Millen](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/13/82363273-13187035-image-m-51_1710251808010.jpg)
The mother-of-three wrapped up in a £369 navy wool cape coat with a belted waist from Karen Millen
![Formula One pit lane reporter Natalie Pinkham and Zara appeared in high spirts as they joked around with one another](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82368969-13187035-Formula_One_pit_lane_reporter_Natalie_Pinkham_and_Zara_appeared_-a-8_1710267705193.jpg)
Formula One pit lane reporter Natalie Pinkham and Zara appeared in high spirts as they joked around with one another
![Natalie, described as Prince Harry's former 'confidante and drinking buddy', also attended the festival with Zara last year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82368971-13187035-Natalie_described_as_Prince_Harry_s_former_confidante_and_drinki-a-10_1710267705336.jpg)
Natalie, described as Prince Harry's former 'confidante and drinking buddy', also attended the festival with Zara last year
The Cheltenham Festival has scrapped its strict dress code in recent times as the Jockey Club released new guidance for its racecourses.
The historic society event, which dates back to the early 19th century, unveiled a 'inclusive' dress code, which organisers hope will make spectators feel 'confident and at-ease' for their visit.
Already much more relaxed than its racing peer Royal Ascot, Cheltenham organisers are hoping to encourage a younger crowd to the society event, with jeans and trainers no longer looked down upon, and 'come dressed to feel your best' guidance in place.
The formal dress codes - which often included a jacket and tie - are being dropped in a bid to make horseracing more 'accessible and inclusive', the Jockey Club said in an announcement.
![Zara looked frustrated as she observed the Ultima Handicap Chase with horse Chianti Classico on day one of the event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/15/82368913-13187035-Zara_and-m-29_1710258923013.jpg)
Zara looked frustrated as she observed the Ultima Handicap Chase with horse Chianti Classico on day one of the event
![Zara and Natalie looked close as ever, with the Sky Sports presenter looking chic in a check coat and suede boots](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/15/82368915-13187035-image-m-30_1710259001868.jpg)
Zara and Natalie looked close as ever, with the Sky Sports presenter looking chic in a check coat and suede boots
![Zara looked cheerful as she greeted friends at the first day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82368923-13187035-Zara_looked_cheerful_as_she_greeted_friends_at_the_first_day_of_-a-13_1710267705414.jpg)
Zara looked cheerful as she greeted friends at the first day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival
![Zara clutched on to her stylish £345 navy croc leather bag from Fairfax & Favor and programme](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82368919-13187035-Zara_clutched_on_to_her_stylish_345_navy_croc_leather_bag_from_F-a-9_1710267705270.jpg)
Zara clutched on to her stylish £345 navy croc leather bag from Fairfax & Favor and programme
![Zara and Natalie engaged in light conversation while enjoying the day out in Cheltenham](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82368979-13187035-Zara_and_Natalie_engaged_in_light_conversation_while_enjoying_th-a-12_1710267705395.jpg)
Zara and Natalie engaged in light conversation while enjoying the day out in Cheltenham
![The royal looked sleek in a £369 blue cape coat from Karen Millen and a matching navy polo neck jumper](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/12/18/82368927-13187035-The_royal_looked_sleek_in_a_369_blue_cape_coat_from_Karen_Millen-a-11_1710267705369.jpg)
The royal looked sleek in a £369 blue cape coat from Karen Millen and a matching navy polo neck jumper
Elsewhere, crowds began to gather at the Gloucestershire track as early as 8am today as revellers teetered in high heels and fur hats into the grounds.
White dresses seemed to be the order of the day, with many guests opting for monochrome tones and noughties-inspired looks including rara-skirts and blazers for the day out.
Others opted for tweed and beige looks, with various female guests, including Jade Holland Cooper, rebelling against traditional dress codes and opting for suits.
A touch of flair was added by two male guests who opted for brightly coloured suits.
One headed into the races in a fuschia two-piece and matching tie, while another paired black boots with a cerulean blue suit complete with a map of the world printed on it.