Carole Middleton's royal day out: Kate's mother was in her element hugging Princess Anne and toting a £20,000 Birkin at Cheltenham...while races regulars Beatrice and Eugenie were nowhere to be seen

Carole Middleton proved that she's firmly part of the Royal inner circle yesterday when joining Princess Anne, Queen Camilla and Zara Tindall for a fun-filled day at Cheltenham.