The Royal Ascot Goes On Without the Queen– But She Probably Won’t Stay Away For Long

It is usually the first date to go into her diary at the start of the year, but Her Majesty the Queen will be notable by her absence at Royal Ascot today, even though she has a horse running. The Queen, who loves to attend the annual race, will be watching the first day of Royal Ascot on television at Windsor Castle, according to aides.

It has been a demanding few days for the Queen, who was dispatched to Cornwall for the G7 summit before returning to Windsor for Trooping the Colour and to meet Joe and Jill Biden over the weekend. On Tuesday she received Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia at Windsor Castle as well. But despite her busy schedule, sources tell Vanity Fair there are plans for the Monarch to attend the races later this week—something her race manager John Warren appeared to confirm on national radio Tuesday morning.

“The plan at the moment is to see how it goes towards the latter part of the week and if the Queen’s able to come because she’s got runners,” Warren told Radio 4. “Then, fingers crossed, it will happen.” He added that horse racing offers “very broad escapism” for the Queen, who is “fanatic” about the sport.

The Queen always has several horses running at the Royal Ascot, and on Tuesday her horse Kings Lynn will compete in the King’s Stand Stakes. Usually it would be a big day for Her Majesty, who hosts a luncheon at Windsor Castle for guests before taking part in the traditional carriage procession from the castle to the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot.

Instead it was her son Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, along with Princess Anne and Mike and Zara Tindall, who led the way in the royal stakes on Tuesday. It was the first outing for the Tindalls since their son was born in March.

In the interview, Warren tipped Tactical in the Jersey Stakes on Saturday as a potential winner, which could be when the Queen makes an appearance. Although the crowd is far smaller than usual, all races are able to go ahead this year. Palace aides have said that if the Queen does attend it will be in a private capacity and there will be no carriage procession.

The Royal Ascot carriage procession dates back to 1825 when King George IV would process down the Royal Parade. The Queen has ridden in more than 260 royal processions at Royal Ascot, often accompanied by members of the royal family and driven in horse-drawn landaus. The procession is timed to military precision and the Queen arrives at the entrance of Ascot’s Straight Mile at precisely 2 p.m. The Royal Procession is as much of a draw for Ascot-goers as the races themselves, and thousands gather by the Grand Stand to catch a glimpse of the Queen. This year the crowds will be considerably fewer—just 12,000 guests will be allowed to watch the races, provided they present a negative COVID test.

The Queen has only missed Royal Ascot twice during her 69-year reign, both times when she was pregnant. While she is expected to make an appearance this year, it will be low key and the Queen will be limited in what she can do. Usually she loves to examine horses in the paddock, but COVID restrictions mean that even if she attends, this will not be allowed to take place.

The Queen reads the Racing Post every morning according to Warren, and is well informed on every horse that is running. “Every race that takes place every day of the week, the Queen will certainly read the Racing Post every morning, look at the breeding of all the winners the day before, and see that these stallions that she uses will be potential horses for her own mares,” he said.

The Queen first attended Royal Ascot in 1945 at the age of 19, and she has had 23 winners at the world-renowned race day. The Queen’s love of horses spans her entire life. An accomplished rider, she still rides her fell ponies regularly at Windsor and has always taken an active interest in racing. She is said to be thrilled that Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall are both racing aficionados and wants them to continue the tradition of Royal Ascot.

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