It is hard to decide whether Royal Ascot, undoubtedly a British institution par excellence, is a charming and stylish event to be celebrated, or a symbol of enduring privilege to be decried. Perhaps both.
Ascot as a racecourse, or so legend would have it, was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 , but it was not until the second half of the 18th century that what is now known as Royal Ascot began to develop as a great social occasion. The June gathering of the great and the minted is now as it has been for generations one of the main set-pieces of The Season.
What sets Royal Ascot apart from other race meetings is the guaranteed presence of members of the royal family, the Queen’s arrival in horse-drawn carriage part of the choreography. That presence sets a tone for those allowed into the Royal Enclosure, with a strictly enforced dress-code operating. Ladies must wear a hat or substantial ‘fascinator’, bare shoulders are banned, likewise midriffs and mini-skirts. Gentlemen must sport black or grey morning dress and woe betide any who fails to follow the rules on when top hats may be removed. Rather like membership of the aristocracy itself entrance to the Royal Enclosure is discreetly maintained, with new entrants requiring sponsorship by someone who has him- or herself held a badge on four previous years.
For all the annoying social-divide stuff there is much to enjoy about the event: the ridiculous hats previously worn by Gertrude Shilling and emulated since by thousands seeking a photo in the press; the decorum and dignity; and yes, even the racing, no day without at least one group race. Royal Ascot is a spectacle, a milestone in the year, and an opportunity for those with the opportunity to display some very British style.
More British Institutions
Afternoon Tea
Allotments
April Fools Day
Big Ben
Binge Drinking
Black Cabs
Bonfire Night
British Sense of Humour
Brown Windsor Soup
Burns Night
Cadburys
Castles
Changing the Guard
City of London
Coronation Street
Cowes Week
Cricket
Crufts
Dad’s Army
E-Type Jag
Eccentricity
English Country Garden
Fish and Chips
Fish Fingers
Fox Hunting
Full English Breakfast
Gin and Tonic
Glastonbury
Glorious Goodwood
Grand National
Grouse Shooting
Harrods
Highland Games
Hogmanay
James Bond
John Bull
King Arthur
Land Rover
Lloyds of London
London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally
Marks and Spencer
Monty Python
Morecambe and Wise
Old School Tie
Oxbridge
Panto
Picnics
Pimms
Point-to-Point
Punch and Judy
Queueing
Real Ale
Red Arrows
Red Telephone Boxes
Remembrance Poppies
Robin Hood
Rolls Royce
Royal Ascot
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Savile Row Suits
School Discos
School Sports Day
Seaside Piers
Speakers’ Corner
Stag Nights
Stiff Upper Lip
Strawberries and Cream
Street Markets
Summer Festivals
Sunday Roasts
The Archers
The BBC
The Beano
The Boat Race
The Brass Band
The British Bobby
The Bulldog
The Church of England
The Cup Final
The Curry House
The English Rose
The Garden Shed
The Honours System
The Kilt
The Last Night at the Proms
The London Bus
The Mini
The National Trust
The NHS
The Oak
The Pub
The Queen’s Speech
The Rolling Stones
The Royal Christmas Message
The Spitfire
The V Sign
The Village Fete
The Weather
Travelling Fairs
Trooping the Colour
Village Greens
Wedgwood
Wellington Boots
Wimbledon
Wine Gums
Yeomen of the Guard
Brit Quote: |
|
On this day: |