Saturday 19 June 2021

first meeting after two years
The queen shines in the horse race in Ascot

Last year’s “Royal Ascot” horse race was canceled due to the coronavirus. Now the program is part of a pilot project to test return to mass events. The Queen is there too – and clearly having fun.

The British Queen has competed in the Ascot horse race for the first time in two years. Queen Elizabeth II smiled gleefully when she arrived in the afternoon in a mint green outfit and matching hat to applause from the audience. The color of their hats has traditionally been the subject of betting. There was no procession like normal days this year.

The 95-year-old monarch traveled by car from nearby Windsor. Apart from him, only his eldest grandson, Peter Phillips, was seen by the royals. Usually the royal family can be seen every day at high society events. The Queen has four horses in the race: “Reach for the Moon”, “Tactical”, “Light Refrain” and “King’s Lynn” should all start on Thursday.

The five-day event, which ends on Saturday, is part of the UK government’s pilot project to test a return to mass events. Every day 12,000 guests were admitted, but they had to be subject to strict conditions.