King and Queen remain key to Royal Ascot's success - and that of British racing more widely

Much of last year’s Royal Ascot preamble centred on the extent to which the new King and Queen would embrace the meeting. In the event anxiety dissipated as the week unfolded, with Charles and Camilla attending on all five days.
From racing’s perspective it could not have been scripted better. Queen Elizabeth II’s patronage had been a godsend throughout her 70-year reign, and her son’s desire to honour her memory brought continuity to Ascot’s direct links with the monarchy.
The circumstances are very different this time round, yet the message remains the same. Despite the King’s ongoing cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace “sources” emphasised in April that he was keen to attend once again. This predated his first public appearance since his illness was announced in February, and alluded to the importance the King now attaches to the royal fixture.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inJulian Muscat
Last updated
- The Aga Khan: a purist whose meticulous methods were magnificently vindicated on the racecourse
- No surprise Frankel took the top spot in the best 25 Flat horses of the century - but it was hard to split him and Sea The Stars
- Saturday wonder woman Venetia Williams shows the value of living in the present
- Lack of quality in Coral Gold Cup a reminder jumps Pattern needs a radical rethink
- Panto season has come early in racing as November serves up a string of embarrassments for the sport
- The Aga Khan: a purist whose meticulous methods were magnificently vindicated on the racecourse
- No surprise Frankel took the top spot in the best 25 Flat horses of the century - but it was hard to split him and Sea The Stars
- Saturday wonder woman Venetia Williams shows the value of living in the present
- Lack of quality in Coral Gold Cup a reminder jumps Pattern needs a radical rethink
- Panto season has come early in racing as November serves up a string of embarrassments for the sport