Each June, the Berkshire countryside fills with the sound of hooves, champagne corks, and the roar of 300,000 racegoers as Royal Ascot takes centre stage. For five days, the event blends elite horse racing with centuries-old royal pageantry, drawing spectators from around the world.
At its heart, Royal Ascot is a thoroughbred horse racing meeting held at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. It runs from Tuesday to Saturday, with seven races each day and a record prize fund of £10,645,000 in 2026. The festival is famous for its strict dress code, particularly in the Royal Enclosure, and for being one of the highlights of the British social season.
“A guide to Royal Ascot, its traditions, and significance for the UK.”
The royal family has been closely associated with Ascot since the racecourse was founded by Queen Anne in 1711. The tradition of the Royal Procession — a carriage drive along the Straight Mile to signal the start of each day’s racing — dates back to 1825. In 2026, King Charles and Queen Camilla led the procession in the first carriage, accompanied by friends the Duke and Duchess of Wellington. Behind them, Princess Anne rode with her son Peter Phillips and his new wife Harriet — the newest official member of the royal family. Other royals seen at the meeting included Zara Tindall and her husband Mike, while the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also took part in the procession. Notably, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were absent from the first day.
For UK readers, Royal Ascot matters on several levels. Economically, it is a major event for Berkshire and the wider racing industry: in 2026, prize money rose to a record £10.645 million. Culturally, it is one of the few occasions where the royal family appears in a semi-formal, accessible setting, reinforcing the monarchy’s role in national tradition. The dress code and etiquette — such as the deep curtsey Zara Tindall gave the King in the parade ring — fascinate many. And for racing fans, the King himself entered five thoroughbreds in 2026, with his horse Reaching High (15/8 favourite) running in the Ascot Stakes.
Q: What is the Royal Procession at Ascot? It is a daily carriage parade that has opened racing since 1825. The royal family rides from the private entrance along the Straight Mile to the Royal Enclosure, giving the crowd a close view of senior royals. In 2026, the procession included King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, and newlyweds Peter and Harriet Phillips.
Q: Can anyone attend Royal Ascot? Yes, but access depends on the enclosure. The Royal Enclosure requires membership or sponsorship; the Grandstand Admission and Windsor Enclosure are open to the public with a ticket. Strict dress codes apply — especially in the Royal Enclosure, where men wear morning dress and women must wear hats.
Q: What is Ladies Day? Traditionally the third day (Thursday) of the meeting, Ladies Day is known for especially flamboyant hats and dresses. It is one of the most popular days for fashion and socializing, though the racing still takes centre stage.
What happens next — The 2026 meeting runs until Saturday, with the King hoping for his second Royal Ascot winner as monarch (his first was in 2023). The racecourse also continues its sustainability drive: since June 2025, 1,200 solar panels have been installed on the grandstand roof, a step the King and Queen highlighted in the official programme. Beyond this year, the event remains a fixed point in the British calendar, with traditions likely to endure for generations.