Royal races in England. Meghan Markle at Royal Ascot: what you need to know about the most beautiful royal races of the year. There's no such thing as too much
This week, the British Royal Family will enjoy five days of fun at Royal Ascot. The Queen invites her family to join her for the event every year, but what is it and why is it so serious? Ahead of this year's event, here's everything we know about one of Queen Elizabeth II's favorite social events.
It's the highlight of the summer social calendar.
Royal Ascot is an annual horse race held every June at Ascot Racecourse (which is approximately 30 miles from London). It's one of the highlights of the summer social calendar, and tickets can range from $50 (for outdoor seating) to several thousand (for coveted box or hotel suite seating). The royal family attends Ascot every year and the event is renowned for its heritage and tradition.
Racing fans take it seriously
Image Source: Getty/Alan CrowhurstHowever, this is not just a social event. Royal Ascot is a huge deal in the world of horse racing. The races, which take place over five days, have a total of £7.3 million in prize money (almost $10 million). The horses and jockeys are some of the most famous in the world, and the owners are some of the richest and most powerful.
You've seen it in movies and on TV
Image Source: Getty/Bettmann Royal Ascot has a rich history dating back to the reign of Queen Anne in 1711, and Ascot Racecourse has been a prominent part of popular culture for decades. In the 1964 film “My Fair Lady” shows the famous scene filmed at Ascot in which Audrey Hepburn's Eliza Doolittle loses her composure during a race and shouts at a horse while standing surrounded by earls and peers.
The Royal Family Attends Ascot
Image Source: Getty/Anwar Hussain Queen Elizabeth II attends Royal Ascot every day and is joined by different members of her family each day. The royal carriage arrives every day, giving everyone a glimpse of the royal family before they reach the royal box.
It gives people the opportunity to get closer to the royal family
After the carriage ride, the royal family makes a parade on foot. This gives people a rare opportunity to see the royal family up close.
The Queen herself awards the winners
Image Source: Getty/Kirstin Sinclair During the day, the Queen will present trophies to the owners of the winning horses. This can sometimes be problematic as the Queen herself owns racehorses and they are often among the winners of races at Royal Ascot. On occasions when they win (eg the Gold Cup in 2013), her family members are honored!
Other members of the royal family
Image Source: Getty/Chris Jackson Other members of the royal family also help with official duties during the day.
We'll see royalty at their best.
While Royal Ascot is considered a pretty “cool” event, it is also a chance for the royal family to have some fun and show off their outfits and hairstyles.
They're really racing
Image Source: Getty/Max Mumby/Indigo Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attend Ascot every year and it's safe to say they compete in every race!
If your name is not on the list, you will not enter
Image Source: Getty/Max Mumby/Indigo The most sought-after area at Royal Ascot is the royal enclosure, which surrounds the royal box (where the royal family and their invited guests watch the races). Royal Enclosure tickets are not sold at all, but are instead reserved for competitors, VIPs, owners and trainers, sponsors and their guests.
Time to plan your outfit
The Royal Corps has a strict dress code. Men are expected to wear morning dress, with a top hat (just a suit won't do). Women must wear hats or headpieces of a certain size, and dresses or skirts must have knee-length or longer hemlines and belts of a certain width (as seen here on British TV presenter Holly Willoughby). Strapless dresses, backless dresses, halter styles and spaghetti straps are prohibited.
All about hats
Image Source: Getty/Samir Hussein Thursday at Royal Ascot is known as Ladies' Day, and it comes down to hats. Women vie to be photographed in their standout outfits, and the designs range from the sublime. . .
There's no such thing as too much
Image Source: Getty/Stuart S. Wilson It's funny! Yes, it's a spaghetti hat!
This year the Royal Ascot races will take place from June 19-23. Our author Kristina Moskalenko has been visiting Royal Ascot for several years. And for Zima readers, we have compiled a list of 10 tips for those who are just discovering the atmosphere of royal horse racing. Tickets are already on sale, hurry up.
Royal Ascot is included in the list of the most popular events in the so-called “social season”. The term is taken from the use of British aristocrats. Traditionally, during the summer they organize a series of events designed to have a good time and get the children married. The holiday becomes especially prestigious if the queen or members of the royal family are present. The Ascot race is a great chance to see her with your own eyes and bet on the color of her hat.
How does Ascot work?
The spectator part of the racecourse at Ascot, to describe it very simply, consists of four parts. In the main one, which is located at the entrance, people buy food, champagne and place bets. This is a trading zone and everyone can enter it.
After purchasing, spectators with tickets go to their places. There are three “Lodges”: democratic, middle and royal. Royal tickets are not sold; admission is by invitation.
That is, if you want to buy a ticket to the royal races at Ascot, you simply choose from two zones, which in English are called ‘enclosures’.
Which ticket should I choose?
The purchase is simple. And although there are many accommodation options on the site, in fact, their most important difference is that some are cheaper, while others are more expensive.
'Windsor Enclosure' is the most economical stock. Tickets here cost £44 per person and you only pay for entry. Food and drinks are available for you in the common area at the entrance. This is the most popular site and usually all the photos of British “ladies” very drunk in hats with their skirts pulled up on the grass are from here. There are always a lot of people here and they are having fun. Suitable for those who not only tolerate such an atmosphere, but even love it.
‘Queen Anne Enclosure’ - middle stock. It's less crowded and tickets cost £84, also just for entry. Here you pay for the opportunity to breathe more freely and not feel like you’re on the subway. Suitable for those who love peace and quiet.
Let us remind you that tickets are not sold to the royal zone. But the races themselves are approximately equally visible from all three sites.
There is also an additional type of ticket - ‘Village Enclosure’. Roughly speaking, this is for those who did not have enough tickets. There are screens with broadcasts here. You won't see anything live.
What day should I go?
All days are the same. Except one. June 21 – ‘Ladies Day’. This is the day when all the British nobles come to the races. There are more people, the hats are brighter and more extravagant, the queues are longer and the concentration of fun is at its limit.
Do you like this? Get tickets for the 21st. If you want to pose quietly for three hours, you can do it at some other time.
Do you need coupons and discounts?
Tickets combined with different types of offers and “discounts” at Ascot are likely to ruin your day. A huge event, thousands of people, this automatically means that even with a pre-paid lunch included in your ticket, you can easily spoil your nerves when something goes wrong. Find your bearings on the spot. Then the price will correspond to the quality.
How to get there?
By car or train. You have to pay to park at Ascot. But it is there and quite convenient. It is worth considering that there is one road leading to Ascot and on the days of the royal races everyone goes along it. That is, there will be traffic jams.
Trains to Ascot from London Waterloo station depart very frequently and arrive at a point which is a two-minute walk from the racecourse entrance. Considering the traffic, this is a very convenient way to get to the event. Train tickets can be bought directly at the station from a machine. Naturally, it is better to take it there and back. Detailed information at the link.
Should I bring food for a picnic?
Many take sandwiches and champagne with them and start celebrating on the train. Those who come by car often start this activity right in the park parking lot. Sit down under a tree and feel free to start the pre-party.
If you want to take your mother’s pies with you, take them! And wash it down with champagne on the way! Everyone does it!
In addition, these days the rules on the territory of the hippodrome are very humane. You can bring food, blankets and one bottle of champagne per adult.
What's the dress code?
Since the Queen is present at the event, there is a specific dress code. And lately they have been updated frequently. Zima has already written about the new style guide for.
The basic rules for women are that knees and shoulders must be covered, the neckline must be modest, and the headdress must not be less than 10 cm in diameter.
Rules for men: suit and hat.
In general, if you really want to, you can go through in a miniskirt; no one will be taken to the police, but they can give you an extra skirt, like in monasteries.
Without unnecessary hassles, dress as you would for a wedding to… your mother. And don't forget your hat!
How to bet on a horse?
Nothing special is required. You need to choose a horse, stand in line at the desired kiosk, name the horse’s name and bet as much as you like. Bets start from just a few pounds, so feel free to allocate £10 of your budget to 10 bets and try to win! Betting kiosks are located everywhere.
See the queen and lords
There is a small lawn in the general trading area. Right in the middle, impossible to miss. It is fenced and you cannot go there without a special invitation. But this is where the Queen and her family arrive between 11am and 2pm. If you take a place at the fence near the lawn in advance, you can see the queen and wave to her.
How to bet on the queen's hat?
Before the queen arrives, everyone tries to guess the color of her hat. In the same stalls where they bet on horses, you can leave a couple of pounds and your guess. Will the queen wear a yellow headdress or a pink one? Or maybe she's in a purple mood?
From experience: if you point your finger at the sky, then guessing the horse that will win the race is easier than guessing the color of Elizabeth II’s hat. So you don’t have to specifically follow fashion. The queen always has her own opinion. Focus on the horses.
Photo: For many visitors, the Royal Ascot races are a reason to have a lot of fun.
Ahead of one of the biggest events in Britain's social calendar, milliners are working tirelessly in the hope of turning a profit for the year. English fashionistas are preparing the best outfits, and bookmakers are accepting a record number of bets. As you probably understand, we are talking about Royal Ascot - the most popular and visited horse race in Europe. In 2018, they will take place from 19 to 23 June, and the prize fund will be more than six million pounds.
But the Royal Horse Races attract not only equestrian enthusiasts. This is one of the few opportunities to see members of the royal family happily attending this event in almost full force. The royal family arrives at Royal Ascot in open carriages accompanied by a horse-drawn procession. From year to year, gambling Englishmen place bets, trying to guess the color of Elizabeth II’s hat and outfit.
Pictured: the royal family at Royal Ascot. Photo: harpersbazaar.com
Of course, passions also run high around the outfits of the princes’ spouses and the queen’s granddaughters. This year, the press will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of Kate Middleton, because the races will be one of her first exits after her recent birth, as well as the appearance of Meghan Markle, already in the official status of the wife of Prince Harry.
But since horse racing, even such as Royal Ascot, is, first of all, an equestrian competition, great attention is paid to the horses. They are carefully prepared for the competition by a whole team of specialists. You can take a look at the thoroughbred horses immediately before the race, when they go out for a fifteen-minute warm-up.
Many aristocrats, including Elizabeth II herself, enter their own horses in the races. Overseas horses also take part in the races.
In the hope that their favorite will win, many visitors place large bets. Professionals differ from amateurs in that, before placing a bet, they carefully study the pedigrees and history of races, thereby turning gambling into a whole science. Amateurs place bets at random, hoping to hit the mark by betting on a horse with the number or name they like. By the way, there is no minimum bet amount on horse racing, so anyone can take a chance.
Races at Royal Ascot
In the photo: Royal Ascot hosts 6 races a day. Photo thesun.co.uk
Every day at Royal Ascot there are six races, each of which has its own name, rules and restrictions for participants. The most prestigious races are the Prince of Wales's Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes, Diamond Jubilee Stakes and Gold Cup. Horses over 4 years old are allowed to participate in them, and the prize fund in recent years has exceeded half a million pounds in each.
In addition, the races have races for two-year-old horses and three-year-old horses, as well as general or separate competitions for mares and stallions. The victory of a horse in any competition at Royal Ascot is very prestigious for its owner.
Boxes at Royal Ascot
In the photo: some visitors to the Royal Ascot races take the choice of outfits very seriously. Photo dailymail.co.uk
You can watch the competitions from three boxes, each of which has its own specifics. The most democratic lodge is called Windsor Enclosure. Tickets can be purchased for £37. There is no strict dress code, but guests are encouraged to “dress for the occasion.” So, if you want to go to the races without spending money on an outfit, then take tickets to this box.
The view from any box is equally good: you can see both the competitions themselves and the solemn arrival of the royal procession. But be prepared for the Windsor Lodge to be packed. The very atmosphere of the holiday invites you to surrender yourself completely to it - the Internet and newspapers are then full of photographs of drunken ladies sleeping on the grass in various degrees of rumpled outfits.
So, if you want a relaxing holiday, choose the more prestigious and expensive Queen Anne Enclosure. A ticket to it costs from £75, and, in addition, you will have to comply with a not too strict dress code: ladies must wear hats, and gentlemen must wear suits and ties.
And finally, the most prestigious at Royal Ascot is the Royal Box, which can only be entered by special invitation. All lodge visitors must purchase special badges, which start from £120 per day. You are also required to comply with a strict dress code, the requirements of which are updated quite often. This year, ladies are required to arrive at the races in hats with a base diameter of at least 10 centimeters. Dresses must cover the knees, have a modest neckline, and shoulder straps that are at least 1 inch wide. Pantsuits with matching tops and bottoms, as well as ankle-length jumpsuits, are acceptable. “Outlaw” are tops and dresses with dropped shoulders or ties at the neck, deep necklines, fascinator hats and any clothing that exposes the midriff.
The requirements for a men's suit are also very strict: guests of the Royal Box will need a “full morning suit”, including a specially cut frock coat, tie, vest, top hat, closed shoes and socks. Gentlemen are offered only two colors to choose from: black and gray. So, everything is really extremely strict and formal. Those who made a mistake in choosing a costume can be helped by a special assistant who will sell the missing items right at the entrance.
Which race day should I choose?
In the photo: at Royal Ascot not only horses, but also ladies compete: the winner of the best hat is announced by the queen. Photo dailymail.co.uk
Since the races last for 5 whole days, a reasonable question arises, which one to choose so as not to miss the most interesting thing. First of all, you should pay attention to the racing program and the races that interest you. If the reason for your visit to Royal Ascot was the desire to simply have fun and watch how high society relaxes, we recommend coming on Thursday, on the so-called Ladies Day. It is on June 21 that all the British nobility will gather at Ascot, and the ladies will compete in the extravagance of their hats. The winner, according to tradition, will be named by the queen herself. It is also on this day that the Golden Cup, one of the most prestigious races, takes place.
Since Royal Ascot is a social event, originally conceived as an occasion for meetings of the aristocracy in a very informal atmosphere, accompanying entertainment plays an important role in its organization. Ascot has a large selection of restaurants, all with wonderful views of the horse track. You can also reserve a spot for a picnic or afternoon tea, for example. Most often, the price of such things does not include admission to the races, so be careful when booking.
However, it is not forbidden to bring your own food and even one bottle of sparkling wine for each adult to the lodge. Many people do just that, having picnics on the grass.
How to get to Royal Ascot
If you plan to travel to Royal Ascot by car, we recommend that you reserve a parking space in advance. This is especially true for those who come by minibuses and limousines. Parking for a regular car will cost at least £35 per day, while limousine owners will have to fork out £180 per day. For those who are planning to relax and get drunk, it makes sense to choose public transport: trains run to Ascot from the cities of Reading, Guildford and from London Waterloo station. Luckily the train station is just a seven minute walk from the racecourse.
After the death of Queen Anne in 1714, horse racing for 30 years was not popular with the nobility and spectators, and was deprived of the favor of the kings who reigned in those years: George I and his son George II. The competition between jockeys and their horses began to gain popularity thanks to William Augustus, the second son of George II. Being an active man, he created a wonderful stud farm in Windsor Forest, exhibiting his horses at Ascot. And it was William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, who owned the legendary horse Eclipse, who did not suffer a single defeat in 23 years of participation in the race.
George, Prince of Wales, became the next significant figure in the development of Ascot. From a young age he spent huge sums of money on horses and bets, and his jockey Sam Chifney was known as a great master of his craft.
The Queen with her granddaughter-in-law Autumn Phillips 
Ascot owes many traditions that continue to this day to George IV, who came to the throne in 1820. In particular, it was he who first appeared on the racetrack, driving a horse-drawn carriage before the opening of the races, and now it is an integral part of the grand opening of the race day: the royal family arrives in a carriage, accompanied by horse guards.
Under Queen Victoria, horse racing was extremely popular and became one of the main social events of the year. Lord Bentinck played an important role for Ascot in those days. Since 1945, Queen Elizabeth II has not missed a single race at Ascot, and since 1952, royal horses have always taken part in the competition.
For the past few years, the races have been held over five days, instead of the traditional four. The reason for this was the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II, in honor of which it was decided to extend the competition by one day, which was enthusiastically accepted by the public. Today at Ascot is not only Women's Day, but also the main event of horse racing - the race for the Gold Cup. The most prestigious prize, the Golden Cup, is awarded to the winner personally by Queen Elizabeth.
According to experts, over 5 days of racing, Ascot's treasury is replenished by approximately 50 million pounds.
During the most pompous races on the planet, 150 thousand bottles of champagne are drunk, 2.5 tons of sturgeon and 7.5 thousand lobsters, 5 tons of strawberries and 1650 gallons of cream are eaten. Fashion on race days is watched as closely as the success of thoroughbreds horses. And the main fashion show at Ascot is, of course, the show of women's hats.
The main event of the horse racing itself is, of course, the drawing of the “Gold Cup”, which has been awarded since 1807 on Lady’s Day to the winners of the race in which four-year-old horses compete. The most prestigious prize, the Golden Cup, is awarded to the winner personally by Queen Elizabeth.
The queen's horse, Score, won today. The Queen becomes the first reigning monarch to have a horse win the major Ascot race. Beatrice and Eugenie were jumping up and down in the royal box. The stands burst into applause. The queen began to cry. Since the Queen cannot award herself, Prince Andrew presented her with the Gold Cup.
with jockey and trainer 
In addition to the Gold Cup, there are a dozen other individual prizes awarded at Ascot: for example, the Golden Jubilee Prize, the Queen's Podium Prize, and several prizes named after English rulers, with the results of the race being King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes count toward the World Championship. The total prize fund for the races exceeds £3.5 million.
The world's most famous horse race, Royal Ascot, is in full swing. While the jockeys on their horses are reeling in circles, the ladies change their hats one by one. According to tradition, the most exquisite headdress “awaits” Thursday, because this day at the races is considered women’s day, the so-called “Ladies Day”. One can only envy the fantasies of local fashionistas! But Queen Elizabeth II remained in her venerable repertoire, choosing a modest hat to match her suit.
Beatrice with a permanent grimace. 
Who is that next to Evgenia in the crew?
Facinetors are prohibited at Ascot, but not for this beauty - guide dog Zoe! :) 
Well, let’s dilute the officialdom, today is still Ladies Day 
I especially liked this one - the quintessence of female envy. Not even envy, but a competitive spirit 
A whole crowd of pies :) 
And our beautiful granny is back at the races! 
This is some kind of Russian and with her there was also a girl in a kokoshnik - also Russian
And further... 
A little history: 
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Read more:
The Royal Ascot equestrian tournament - not only a sporting event, but also a social one - is in full swing. While the jockeys count down the laps at the famous racetrack, the ladies change their hats: each of the five days of the tournament must wear a new one.
Queen Elizabeth chose the vibrant color of cornflower for her outfit today, as well as new company for a carriage ride to make the traditional circle around the field and greet some 60,000 guests.
Today, oddly enough, I liked many of the images of the guests. Of course, as always, there were some overly fancy and inappropriate hats, but where would we be without that…. I think without this, horse racing would not be so interesting.
Besides showing off new hats and breaking speed records, history generally repeats itself every year: horses, ladies in fantastic headdresses and gentlemen in top hats. By the way, their presence is monitored by the so-called fashion police - a special service that monitors whether guests’ appearance meets the requirements. It's no joke - they even place bets here, wondering what color hat the queen will wear on the next day!
By the way, today she preferred cornflower blue, and yesterday’s pink turned out to be lucky - after all, just the day before, as The New York Times reports, the horse of the British Queen Elizabeth II won the Royal Ascot Cup.
The Queen, who is a keen horse racing fan and never misses a race at Ascot, smiled widely as she watched her horse cross the finish line first.
Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Sarwat El Hassan(Jordan).
I will curtsy to the queen.
Elizabeth and Princess Haya. I understand that the princess came to congratulate the queen. (Yesterday) 
Sophie with her father.
Marie Christine is good 
Dress code at Ascot.
And some even arrive at the races like this!
or like this
If you need help ;) 
Katherine Jenkins attended Lady's Day in Ascot, UK. (Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images)
Horse racing fan Blanche Richards attends Lady's Day at Ascot, UK. (Stefan Wermuth/Reuters phtoo)
Georgina Parham at Lady's Day in Ascot, UK. (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Girls in original hats pose for a photograph at Lady's Day in Ascot, UK. (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Lady's Day at Ascot. (Stefan Wermuth/Reuters Photo)
A dog named Zoe wears a cute top hat at a festival in Ascot, UK. (Stefan Wermuth/Reuters Photo)
Lady's Day at Ascot, UK. (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Lady's Day at Ascot, UK. (Andrew Winning/Reuters)
Lady's Day at Ascot, UK. (Stefan Wermuth/Reuters)
Royal Ascot.
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A pantsuit is acceptable, but only if it is "full length and of appropriate material and color." |
Bare legs are frowned upon. |
"Ladies' pantaloons," as the manual says. "Definitely yes, but not in public please ladies." |
Ladies must wear hats |
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Royal races Royal Ascot 2013. Day five.
It was cold at Ascot today: rain, wind and +15.
Royal Ascot is the most famous horse race in the world and the main event in the British social calendar. It is not customary for local aristocrats to demonstrate their status once again, but the royal races at Ascot are an exception. In the press, discussion of guests, their outfits, diamonds and cars sometimes takes up much more space than coverage of horse racing.
The Queen herself does not miss a single race and every day leads the procession heading from Windsor Castle to the competition site.
More than three hundred thousand people annually come to Ascot, a small town in Berkshire, for racing week.
The total prize fund of the races exceeds three and a half million pounds. The most prestigious prize, the award of which is still considered the main event of the racing week, the “Gold Cup”, has been awarded to the winners at Ascot since 1807. The Golden Cup is played on Thursday, or Lady's Day, and four-year-old horses compete in it. Among them there will definitely be several horses belonging to the queen.
The strict dress code for which Ascot is famous deserves special attention. It is obligatory only for guests of the Royal Enclosure, which can only be accessed by the personal invitation of Her Majesty. According to protocol, a request for this must be submitted to the office of Buckingham Palace several months before the event. A seat on the most privileged podium can also be purchased, but it is not customary to discuss the price of the issue publicly. A less pretentious crowd is located in the Elizabeth Stand sector, and the Silver Ring, separated from the VIP seats by racing tracks, is completely full of young people in jeans and T-shirts.
On June 21, a horse named Estimate, owned by the British Queen Elizabeth II, won the main prize of the Ascot races - the Gold Cup on Thursday. For the first time in 207 years of these prestigious competitions, the main prize was won by a horse owned by the current monarch of Great Britain.
The Queen's grandson, the son of her daughter Princess Anne, Peter Phillips, said, commenting on his grandmother's reaction to the horse winning the trophy: "It means a lot to her to win big at the Royal Ascot races. Everyone is very excited. She took it as a personal joy. This was a great day for her." her special." 
The Royal Lodge dress code requires ladies to wear hats, cover their shoulders and wear skirts no shorter than 2 inches above the knees. Since 1970, trouser suits have also been permitted. Gentlemen have little to choose from - only a black or gray tailcoat (also called a morning coat, or “business card”), gray pinstripe trousers, a poplin shirt with a high collar, a plain silk plastron tie, elk leather gloves and a top hat.
The main decoration of one of the most prestigious social events of the year is not horses, but hats - a mandatory element of the dress code of guests. In particular, ladies must wear hats. On each of the five days of the race, ladies must wear a new hat, and on Thursday - Lady's Day- It is customary to wear the most extravagant headdresses.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth does not miss a single race and every day during the week of the tournament she leads the procession heading from Windsor Castle to the competition site, where she is literally blinded by the luxury of the outfits and the shine of precious jewelry of the titled guests.
For the past few years, the races have been held over five days, instead of the traditional four. The reason for this was the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II, in honor of which it was decided to extend the competition by one day, which was enthusiastically accepted by the public.
People come to Ascot in limousines - several hundred a day, they fly in by helicopter, they arrive in carriages. If you want to see how British society is divided into classes, then the Hippodrome is the best auditorium. At the same time, aristocrats usually do not like to flaunt their capabilities. But horse racing is an exception.
The first five hours of Ascot are clearly not a race, but a fashion show. Many British lionesses begin to prepare for this appearance several months in advance. After all, you need to stand out and not outshine your competitors! This is how daisy hats, roses, and peacocks appear. Everything that suits is fashionable here. 
Ascot is exactly the kind of place where being old-fashioned is a compliment. But extravagance is also welcome, although, probably, the ideal option is the golden mean, but this is already a whole art.
It smells of cigars, horses, perfume and big money, because few people can afford to come to the races on a working day.
Guest of the event: “Where is my man? Works to pay for it all!”
50 thousand bottles of champagne, 400 kilograms of fresh shrimp, more than a ton of red fish - Ascot's appetite is known throughout the world. Here they are unlikely to give up a kingdom for a horse, although they know horses very well. But still, horse racing is, rather, a reason for going out. Moreover, the queen comes here every year. The dream of many at the hippodrome is not even to win the races, but to get into the royal box.
No one in the whole world is more obsessed with horse racing and hats than the English. If you want proof, take a look at the Royal Ascot horse race, which is traditionally held in the UK in the third week of June. And now you can see Meghan Markle there as a royal daughter-in-law and with a special mission.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, will make her debut at Royal Ascot 2018Royal Ascot has a long history, but on June 19, 2018, another chapter will be written in it, because on this day Meghan Markle makes her debut at the racecourse. The Duchess of Sussex has a special mission on this day: she is entrusted with presenting a prize to the winner of one of the three highest-rated races of the first day. Royal Ascot has one of the strictest dress codes, especially for those accompanying Her Majesty. So, the Duchess of Sussex tried, as best she could, to postpone fashion experiments for another time. For her debut at the racecourse, Megan chose a shirt-cut maxi dress from Givenchy (the designer of her wedding dress) and an elegant hat from Philip Treacy, one of the main hatters in the UK.
Royal Ascot is not just the main horse race under the patronage of the Queen. This is, first of all, a symbol of good old England, a sign that in our changing world there are still traditions that cannot be taken away from the inhabitants of Foggy Albion. Spectacular horse races and incredible hats - two passions of true Englishmen are surprisingly intertwined in this most important and enchanting event of the summer - Royal Ascot.
The Royal Horse Races in Ascot, a small town in Berkshire, are over 300 years old. They were founded by Queen Anne in 1711. Since then, the popularity of Royal Ascot has only grown and today it is the most pompous aristocratic event in the world. Interest in it is also fueled by the royal family, which is always present at the races all five days. Throughout her reign, Elizabeth II has never missed this event.
By tradition, Royal Ascot is held in the third week of June, from Tuesday to Saturday. By the way, the races used to end on Friday, but due to their popularity, relatively recently it was decided to extend them for another day.
Of course, formally, Royal Ascot is, first and foremost, a horse race. Moreover, they are very prestigious, and every year this status only increases. For example, if in 2017 the prize fund of the races was 4 million British pounds, then in 2018 the organizers announced the amount at 7.3 million. In total, 18 races will be held in 5 days in 2018, including 6 of the most prestigious ones. Trophies are presented to the winners of these races by members of the royal family. In particular, on the first day of Royal Ascot 2018, one of the cups was presented to the newlyweds of the Sussexes, Meghan and Harry.
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But in fact, Royal Ascot has long been transformed into a real festival of British life. This is especially noticeable in the zone of common people, where the largest number of entertainment venues and food courts are located.
For more than 300 years, the opening ceremony has already been perfected to the smallest detail. At 10:30 London time, gatekeepers in green jackets (they are called Greencoats) will begin to let guests into the stadium, according to the tickets (Ascot Racecourse is divided into 3 spectator areas) and the dress code (more on this later).
At two o'clock in the afternoon, a royal procession leaves for the hippodrome: Her Majesty's carriage, followed by the crews of other members of the royal family (the attendance of the elders is strictly mandatory, but for the younger ones it is optional). Fun fact: Bookmakers have been accepting bets on the color of Elizabeth's hat on the opening day of the race for years now.
By the time Royal Ascot opened on June 19, 2018, bookmakers had received £1 million in bets from those eager to guess the color of the Queen's hat. They say this is a record. The leaders were blue and pink. There is even an analytical basis for predictions about the color of the Queen’s headdress. For example, they count. How many times has Her Majesty worn blue in the past year, and how many times has Her Majesty appeared in pink at the races over the years? For example, since 2005, more than half of Elizabeth's outfits have been one of these shades. However, theory is often far from practice. In 2017, for example, the betting favorite was blue, and the Queen appeared in a lime-colored hat. This year, Her Majesty limited herself to a blue flower on a bright yellow hat. Well, someone got lucky (the one who bet on yellow).
At exactly 2 p.m., Elizabeth announces the Royal Ascot races are open and goes with relatives and distinguished guests to the royal box, located in the royal spectator area, to watch the races and place bets (the queen herself often puts her stable of horses in the races).
On the first day, three royal races are held at once - the very first is traditionally dedicated to the founder of horse racing, Queen Anne.
Elizabeth II comes to Royal Ascot every day. But during the 5 days of racing you can see many other members of the royal family, and not only the British one. Eastern kings and sheikhs do not miss these races (which is natural), Sheikha Moza regularly appears at the races, and the Danish crown couple, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary, came here several times. But, of course, fans are always waiting for the Cambridge couple to appear at the races, who often ignore this event, to the chagrin of the public. Now, of course, everyone will be even more eagerly awaiting the appearance of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the races.
The royal family led by Her Majesty and a special dress code are the formula for success at Royal Ascot. Thanks to them, these races cannot be confused with any other similar event.
Dress requirements at Royal Ascot are perhaps the most conservative. Even though the organizers sincerely try to balance between tradition and modern fashion. For example, only in the 70s were ladies allowed to wear trousers to races. However, the rules still state that these trousers must be part of a trouser suit and cover the leg up to the ankle.
Relaxations also affected dress styles. Now the length of the skirt can be slightly above the knee (the key word is “slightly”), whereas back in the 70s the skirt had to cover the knees completely. Necklines, as before, are prohibited in the royal sector, but dress assistants are already turning a blind eye to the bare shoulders and collarbones of ladies from the mass sector - this phenomenon has become too widespread.
There are several introductory notes regarding the tops of dresses and blouses: straps that are too thin (less than 2.5 cm in width), transparent straps, and “halters” (a variation of straps with a fastener at the back of the neck) are prohibited. Sleeveless dresses are not prohibited. Skirts with jackets are acceptable, provided they are made from the same fabric.
Only in 2017 was the taboo on overalls for ladies lifted. This historical moment deserved a separate paragraph in the Style Guide, which clarified that the length of the overalls trousers remains the same (no higher than the ankle), and the top must meet the requirements for the outerwear in the corresponding sector.
By the way, there are four sectors. The Royal Box (can only be entered by invitation of Her Majesty, which does not exclude an entrance fee of 300 English pounds), Queen Anne's sector (from 75 to 88 English pounds for entry), the Village sector (about 65 pounds) and the Windsor sector (from 37 to 46 pounds). The strictest dress code is for guests of the lodge, the most democratic is for those who bought a ticket to the Windsor sector.
In order not to retell all the details of the modern Royal Ascot dress code, we suggest watching a two-minute video from the organizers. It clearly describes what racing guests should wear, depending on the sector:
As you might guess, the dress code of the royal races categorically states the presence of a headdress for all visitors, both women and men, making an exception only for children (girls under 12 years of age are allowed fascinators). There is even a separate instruction regarding the shape and size of hats, which specifies the width of the crown, height and even color. At the same time, for women to appear two days in a row in the same hat is bad manners. At the same time, Thursday is traditionally declared as “Women’s Day”. It is on this day that the Queen chooses the best hat at Royal Ascot. And this is the only day when ladies can wear fancy hats. On other days it is better not to try to shock the Queen.
Given the status of the event, celebrities are very fond of attending it. Liz Hurley, for example, does not miss a single season. But, of course, she is not the only one who does not miss the opportunity to be in the frame against the backdrop of the famous royal hippodrome.
