Entertainment
Nick Knowles, 61, joins his fiancée Katie Dadzie, 33, at Royal Ascot
Nick Knowles cut a dapper figure as he attended day one of the star-studded Royal Ascot in Berkshire with his chic fiancée Katie Dadzie on Tuesday.
The annual celebration kicked off in style and the DIY SOS star, 61, made sure to pull out all the stops, opting for a crushed velvet top hat and three-piece suit.
He teamed a black blazer with a pinstriped navy waistcoat and dark grey trousers, accessorising with a pale blue tie.
Meanwhile Katie looked sensational in an elegant vintage-style polka dot dress with puff sleeves and a pleated skirt.
She complete her ensemble with a wide brimmed straw hat and a pair of black wedge sandals.
The couple, who have been together since September 2021, were joined at the racecourse by Charlotte Hawkins, Vicky Pattison and Ola Jordan.
Charlotte wowed in a red dress with a bow embellished neckline that nipped in at the waist with a matching belt.
Vicky stood out in a bright green gown with dramatic sleeves and a feathered hat.
The presenter’s eye-catching headwear was designed by milliner to the stars, Victoria Grant, to celebrate the UK launch of Subway’s new Footlong Cookie
Ola opted for a blue midi with matching stiletto heels and a statement head piece.
The former Strictly Come Dancing professional opted for a pair of Clip Clops, a horseshoe shaped slipper made available at Ascot as a comfortable alternative to high-heeled shoes.
The unique shoes were commissioned by bookmaker Coral to celebrate the biggest week of the summer season, and featured a carbon-fibre hoof and thousands of imitation horse hairs, to give racegoers a stylish yet comfortable alternative to high heels during a day at the races.
Ola said: ‘They are a fun accessory for racing fans who want to stand out from the crowd and are much more comfortable than heels on the grass! I think they’ll definitely turn a few heads in the parade ring.’
Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, starts today with the Queen Anne Stakes and will run until Saturday.
The King and Queen are likely to join the punters at the famous racing meet and cement their position as champions of racing, just like Queen Elizabeth II. They’ll be hoping to add to their tally of Royal Ascot winners.
Charles and Camilla took on the late Queen’s thoroughbreds and have entered a string of horses over the next five days.
The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds, and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.
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Traditionally, the King and Queen arrive at Royal Ascot in a carriage procession with their guests, a convention which will reach its 200th anniversary next year, as it was first held in 1825 during the reign of King George IV.
In March, Nick revealed why he still hasn’t planned his wedding to his fiancée Katie.
The DIY SOS presenter announced he was set to marry the sex toy business owner in August last year.
Speaking to The Sun at the Inspirational Women Awards on Friday, he explained how the couples ‘busy schedules’ have got in the way.
Nick said: ‘Not yet. Still haven’t decided. Still thinking about it.
‘I’ve been away too much with all the travel shows I’ve been doing. Katie’s been very busy with the company.’
The TV personality continued: ‘And as that gets busier, the time to be able to find, to disappear for a week in the schedule gets more and more difficult.’
Nick and Katie became engaged in New Orleans in August 2023 with the couple announcing the happy news on Instagram.
Katie, who is 27 years DIY SOS host Nick’s junior, looked delighted in a series of snaps, which included Nick proposing while down on one knee.
Another picture saw her grinning from ear-to-ear as she showed off the ring Nick had given her which was in fact a gummy sweet.
She captioned her post: ‘So last minute something special happened in New Orleans.’
Nick wrote: ‘There was a Haribo ring incident in New Orleans. Very happy.’
TV star Nick, who split from his wife Jessica Rose Moor in 2016, made his first appearance with Katie in September 2021, after ending his romance with PR guru Emily Hallinan in February 2020.