JK Rowling and her husband made a rare public appearance today at Royal Ascot.

The writer, 59 years old, and Doctor Neil Murray were seen looking very elegant while sitting in the stands on the fourth day of the exclusive horse racing occasion in Berkshire.

It’s rare for Ms Rowling alone to be seen out in public, but it’s even more uncommon for her to be joined by Neil, who she has been married to for 23 years.

She donned a pale blue dress paired with an extravagant floral fascinator in the same shade and big black sunglasses.

Neil cut a dapper figure, sporting a top hat and tails with a pale green waistcoat and a pair of shades.

The couple sipped on flutes of bubbly as they chatted and laughed with friends sat around them.

Ms Rowling looked surprised at one point when a guest approached and started speaking to her during the races.

This morning, she excitedly posted a selfie to X and, addressing her rather large hat, wrote: ‘Really hope go big or go home is still a thing.’

One follower in the replies asked if it was her first time at the event, to which she quipped back: ‘I grew up in Chepstow, so…’ 

Ms Rowling married Neil in 2001, eight years after divorcing her abusive ex Jorge Arantes.

Neil was 29, working as a senior house officer in anaesthetics at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, West Lothian, when he met the already phenomenally successful author in 2000. 

Her first book, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, had been published three years earlier, propelling her to stardom.

A former head boy at his school in the Scottish town of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Neil had chosen not to follow his father and grandfather by becoming a vet, but rather won a place at Glasgow University to study medicine, graduating in 1994.

It was Ms Rowling’s sister Di, two years her junior, who brought the two together and they have been happily married ever since.

Elsewhere today at Ascot, known as the crown jewel of the racing calendar, stylish racegoers put their best foot forward as they braved the sweltering 28C heat.

A sea of flamboyant hats and gowns dominated the landscape at the races as revellers prepared for nail-biting action.

Racegoers could be seen enjoying a glass of bubbly in the summer sun, as they donned their grandiose and vibrant hats.

Royal Ascot was awash with eye-catching hats, vibrant gowns and matching ensembles as glamorous revellers kicked off the weekend early

It wasn’t long before they started popping open lavish bottles of bubbly and sipping on glasses of champagne and prosecco while soaking in the view of the racecourse

Elsewhere eager revellers watched as the jockeys and horses geared up to go head on in several races including the Coronation Stakes and the Commonwealth Cup.

Celebrities and royalty alike sat patiently as King Charles III and Queen Camilla kicked off the day arriving in a horse-drawn-landaus.

The King and Queen were joined by Camilla’s old school friend Lady Cavendish and her husband Lord Cavendish in their coach during the traditional carriage procession along the course.

Among the guests travelling in the carriages were the former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad, the Queen’s Companion the Marchioness of Lansdowne and musical maestro Lord Lloyd-Webber.

Princess Eugene and Zara Tindall were seen beaming as they chatted with His Majesty.

Zara donned a chic baby blue pantsuit with a matching hat, while Princess Eugenie wore beige top coupled with a white hat and skirt.

Princess Eugenie’s mother, Sarah Ferguson, was also present at the prestigious event, wearing a polka dot black and white dress paired with a matching black hat.

And while many continued to enjoy the sunshine, the sportsmen and horses geared up as they went head to head in a bid to emerge victorious in their respective races.

Time for Sandals bagged the number one position in the Commonwealth Cup, winning the prize for Harry Eustace.

Princess Eugenie and her mother Sarah Ferguson share a giggle at Ascot

Cosy cousins! Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall affectionately greeted one another upon their arrival at Royal Ascot

Zara Tindall performs a curtsy as she greets King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Berkshire event

Sarah Ferguson arrives in a polka dot dress on the fourth day of the Royal Ascot today

JK Rowling attends the fourth day of the Royal Ascot today as jockeys and horses battle is out for the Commonwealth Cup and Coronation Stakes

King Charles III and Queen Camilla kicked off the fourth day arriving in a horse-drawn-landaus

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 20

Venetian Sun ridden by Clifford Lee on their way to winning the Albany Stakes on day four of Royal Ascot

Venetian Sun bagged the victory despite Signora being tipped as a favourite to win

Time For Sandals ridden by Richard Kingscote won the Commonwealth Cup on day four

Richard Kingscote told ITV: ‘Since Sir Michael retired it’s always been a case of building back up and I was delighted to get such a good ride’

Richard Kingscote told ITV: ‘Since Sir Michael retired it’s always been a case of building back up and I was delighted to get such a good ride.

‘She done a spectacular piece of work. Delighted for Harry, he’s such a good guy. I’m delighted.’

Elsewhere Venetian Sun, ridden, by Clifford Lee, raced away with a win during the Albany Stalkes race.

Signora, backed by jockey Ryan Moore, was previously tipped as the favourite to win the race but failed to emerge victorious at 15-8 odds.

Winning jockey Lee told ITV: ‘When she ran the first time at Carlisle she did it very nicely.

‘She was very babyish, wasn’t quite switched on, but after that first run she’s come on by maybe 20 lbs. We knew at home that we had a very good filly.

‘Fingers crossed for the rest of the day. It’s not easy – you come here thinking you have a great chance but there are 20 others like that.’

Yesterday, some attendees looked rather worse for wear after leaving the venue after Ladies Day on the hottest day of the year so far.