Royal Ascot – A British Tradition

The perfect potion of high fashion, exceptional racing and prestigious guests, Royal Ascot is one of Great Britain’s favorite horse races. This five-day event brings the finest horses from all over the world, including some of the Queen’s thoroughbreds, to Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England. The pinnacle of British summer fashion and a popular Royal Family event, Royal Ascot shines bright like a crown.

Early Beginnings

In 1711, Queen Anne hosted the first ever race meeting in Ascot. She was out riding one day and stumbled upon the land not far from Windsor Castle. Queen Anne claimed it was the perfect place for “horses to gallop at full stretch,” and, subsequently, Royal Ascot was born. However, it wasn’t until the Gold Cup was introduced in 1807 that the meeting began to resemble the event we see today.

Spectacle of the Summer

While the inaugural race was held in August centuries ago, Royal Ascot is now held in June each year. Spanning from Tuesday to Saturday, the meeting welcomes over 600,000 racegoers. The third day of Ascot is known as Gold Cup Day. It is also informally referred to as Ladies’ Day.

Royal Ascot Style: Dress to Impress

As one of the premier events of the British social calendar, dressing appropriately is a must. As a Royal Ascot attendee, you have access to one of four enclosures – the Royal Enclosure, the Queen Anne Enclosure, the Village Enclosure, and the Windsor Enclosure – each of which has a different set of expectations. Regardless, attendees should dress for a formal occasion and hats are a must! To see Ascot styles from previous years, take a look at HATalk’s Special Royal Ascot Editions.

Living Like Royalty

Have you ever wanted to get a glimpse of the British Royal Family? If you attend Royal Ascot, that dream has a high chance of coming true. Every day at 2:00 pm, the four-carriage Royal Procession makes its way through the racecourse from Windsor Great Park. If you get to the railing early enough, you just might see the Queen gently waving or catch the Duchess of Cambridge’s smile. Racegoers can also watch the Queen also presents various trophies throughout the week.

Royal Ascot: Mark Your Calendar

If you are looking for luxury, excitement and tradition, Royal Ascot is the racing event for you. More detailed information on this year’s races can be found on the event’s official website and tickets can be purchased here.

About the Author

Maggie Kreienberg is a contributing editor at BRIDES Magazine and is currently based in New York City. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in public relations in 2019.