Royal Ascot

Where else and why would clothing hire company order an extra 2500 top hats? It can only be Britain and it must be Royal Ascot week.

The second Saturday of June is the Queen’s official birthday.

It is an important date for many other British people.

This is one of only two days when national Honours are announced- the other is New Year.

One of the Guards regiments takes their turn to Troop their Colours on the Whitehall parade ground.

The annual ceremony in the Chapel of St George, Windsor Castle celebrates the Knights of the Garter, and welcomes new members. (Details in a previous article on St George’s Day)

For the horse racing fraternity this week is one of their jewels.

For the ladies it is a unique excuse to dress up. For those who care, this is their chance to demonstrate their social standing.

When did it start?

As with so many unique British events the origins are deep in our history.

The site is only 6 miles from Windsor castle. The story is Queen Anne was out riding and decided this Ascot site would be ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch.

In 1711 the racecourse was built to her orders and a first race held on 11 Aug.

The Queen donated a Plate, value 100 guineas, as winner’s prize.

Those early requirements were for the horses to race in three heats each of four miles, quite a feat.

The meetings continued until her death in 1714. Public interest waned until revived around 1760 thanks to enthusiasm by the Duke of Cumberland, son of George the Second.

As well as a popular race meeting, second only to Epsom, Ascot also became a popular social occasion, enjoyed and supported by the general public.

This encouraged Parliament to pass an Enclosure Act in 1813, which guaranteed the course would always be a public racecourse.

One significant development was the building of a temporary stand. Only those specifically invited by George the Third could enter. They were required to display a lapel badge giving name and title.

By 1845 this became known as the Royal Enclosure giving the royal family some privacy and security.

There are now about 80,000 badge holders. Membership of the Royal Enclosure became a status symbol of ‘belonging ‘within the British establishment.

Tickets were only given after careful scrutiny.

For example, no divorced or otherwise dubious characters were allowed in.

What to wear at Ascot?

This has been a challenge down the ages. Some rules are clearly laid down. Others are, in a typical British way, not mentioned but ‘understood.’

Many still try to beat the system and avoid the established way of doing things.

Men are required to wear top hats and morning suits.  Where else in the world do you see this today?

Other requirements for men include;

No white shirts or cravats.  Socks should be grey or black, not coloured. Waistcoats are grey or buff.  Colours are more acceptable than patterns.

Gold Cup Day is also Ladies Day, and has become ‘a parade of the lovelies.’

Women too must abide by strict dress codes.

The daily press can usually find a story worth publishing on this subject. Some  papers concentrating on tan lines!

Ladies wishing to enter the Royal Enclosure must wear a hat or ‘something substantial that covers the crown of their head,’ sometimes also named a ‘fascinator.’

Halter necks, spaghetti straps, off the shoulder dresses, even miniskirts are forbidden. Midriffs must be covered.

Trouser suits have not been acceptable in general, but these days if they are one colour they seem to pass scrutiny.

General advice includes;

It is common sense not to wear new shoes which are sure to cause pain after a day at the races. Stiletto heals are obviously a no no.

Avoid black dresses, especially overall. It looks too much like mourning.

There have been some famous public spats over entry being denied.

Joan Collins once made loud objections. That was in the seventies but still remembered.

Rod Stewart was refused entry because he was not wearing a top hat. 

Days of Pageantry the Royal Procession round the racetrack.

Dating from the 1825 meet, the traditional ‘drive down the course’ was started by George the Fourth. 

In the modern version the Queen and her guests drive in cars through Windsor Great Park and change to the open horse drawn Landaus for the last part down the course.

The procession starts at 2pm every day, finishing as it enters the Royal Enclosure.

Then races can begin.     

The Royal Family has supported the event throughout the generations.

Queen Victoria was a very enthusiastic race-goer, right up to the death of Prince Albert. Her son King Edward the Seventh, continued Royal interest.

The present Queen has been a steadfast supporter ever since her first visit in ATS uniform just after the War in 1945.  

The Queen now presents winners with a Gold Cup, Royal Hunt Cup and The Queen’s Vase.

These trophies are made and presented every year for the winners to keep.  Gold Cup day is always on the third day and probably the busiest day of the meet.

There are several Challenge Trophies which are presented to winners of the other races but must be returned every year.

The latest development of the site has been a complete rebuild and overhaul of all arrangements, at a quoted cost of £200 million.

War was declared on most traditional privileges which were withdrawn.

In particular the enclosure and paddock are now accessible by anyone.

Any new building project produces ‘glitches’. Some are more serious than others.

The Queen is not a tall person. The new viewpoint of the racing from the Royal Enclosure was blocked by an over-high parapet.

She could not comfortably see the racing.

The Queen was quoted as being ‘irritated,’ which presumably means ‘absolutely livid. 

The general reaction by genuine race-goers to these improvements is positive. The public have more space, more facilities, better access to views of parade and horses.

Ascot racecourse is considered something to be proud of.  It is a triumph.

The season continues with Wimbledon tennis week and Henley regatta.

DOUG R. (England)