Aishwarya Rai visited London for Royal Ascot this week, but she told HELLO! that her 17-month-old daughter made the journey to the UK, too. "I don't ever leave her," revealed the Bollywood star, who is married to Abhishek Bachchan, son of legendary film star Amitabh Bachchan.
"My mother has been travelling with me as well, which is great." The beautiful Indian actress turns 40 this November. How is she approaching her milestone birthday? "Actually, it's everyone else around me who makes so aware of it, but I don't make a big deal about it," she told HELLO!.
"I never have. I genuinely believe it's a state of mind – and that's not something I’m saying just because I'm approaching 40, you can look back to my earliest interviews. I truly believe that."
Aishwarya, who has starred in more than 44 films including Bride and Prejudice and The Pink Panther, was attending Ascot in her long-term role as an "ambassador of elegance" for official timekeeper Longines, now also the official partner and timepiece of the historic racecourse.
The actress, who was an architecture student and model before finding fame, says that she is able to find a balance between her work and private life. "Even prior to marriage and motherhood, it's always been about prioritising and focusing on what you can commit to," said Aishwarya, who married Abhishek in a Hindu ceremony in April 2007. "That's been my approach to every aspect of my life, be it my relationships or my professional commitments."
"I just take on what I can commit to completely at that point in time and that way you’ll be able to give your best." Aishwarya looked stunning as she attended the first day of Royal Ascot wearing a monochrome lace dress by Kruszynska Couture, the same design company that created the red catsuit that Nancy Dell’Olio famously wore on an evening at Downing Street.
Aishwarya accessorised with a Philip Treacy hat, a Wilbur & Gussie clutch bag and Zanotti heels. She joined celebrity and royalty at the annual horseracing event, one of the highlights of the British social calendar.