Tradtional Royal Ascot attire was in evidence at York

Racegoers praised the facilities at Knavesmire, which is acting as host while the Berkshire course is revamped.

And despite the cold weather, the first day of the event was widely hailed as the warmest in the meeting's history.

Racehorse owner Rob Stevens, a Royal Ascot regular, said the event felt "a lot more laid back in York".

I think a lot of people will be hoping it comes back here next year Keely Chatterton, racegoer

Up to 250,000 people are expected to visit York during the five-day meeting, which is expected to generate an extra �60m for the local economy.

Royal Ascot co-ordinator Nick Smith said the official attendance for the first day was in the region of 36,000, in-line with the expectations of the organisers.

Earlier, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh drew cheers as they arrived by horse-drawn carriage for the Royal Procession.

Other royals attending the event included Prince Charles, his wife Camilla and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

A-list celebrities were thin on the ground but the terraces and grass areas were packed with enthusiastic punters braving outbreaks of rain and cold winds.

'Great spectacle'

Mr Stevens, 54, from Swansea, said the meeting had felt more "classless" than in previous years.

"People are really mixing with each other and people are generally more down to earth. It's a lot more accessible for people like me, who are working class," he said.

Another regular, 37-year-old Keely Chatterton, from Sedgefield, said it had been her favourite royal meeting so far.

"Ascot can be a bit stuffy but here in York it is fantastic, it is much more down to earth and friendly. I think a lot of people will be hoping it comes back here next year."

Katie Ritchie, 29, from Leeds, said: "I have never been racing before in my life but after today's excitement I will definitely be coming again.

"It's a great spectacle, it is just wonderful dressing up for the day and mixing with the rich and famous."

Queues expected

There were tailbacks of up to eight miles reported on the A64 on Tuesday morning as the crowds made their way to the course.

Paul Ellis, a Highways Agency spokesman, said: "I think that any event which has the magnitude of Royal Ascot, bringing in 50,000 to 60,000 to a racecourse, there is going to be an awful lot of congestion.

"We are managing it the best we can with the resources we have got and I think we are doing pretty well."

Despite a broken down train at York station, GNER officials said their efforts to deal with the hundreds of people arriving by train had gone well.