It is said that the first appointment included in the annual agenda of the Queen Elizabeth is always the same: the Royal Ascotthe horse race most famous in the world, which The Queen (at least until today) has never given up. Could I therefore say no to the most coveted invitation from English and international society? Impossible! What follows is the story of an exceptional experience, one of those that, if health assists me, I will be able to tell, as her Majesty, to grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Because it doesn’t happen every day to walk two meters from Carlo and Camillawhile the Prince Edward is preparing to reward the jockey winner of the last challenge and his cousin Zara Phillips chat with friends right next to me.
But let’s go in order and let’s start from the beginning: what is Royal Ascot? As I said, it is the most famous horse race in the world but also one of the more ancientbecause it was established by the Queen Anne in the 1711. If you are a fan of costume series, you will certainly not have missed that in the second season of Bridgerton also the Viscount, Kate Sharma and company meet in Ascot. Fiction aside, the competition has always been held in the summer and more precisely in the month of June – this year from 14 to 18. In all around 30 races (races) with names inspired by the British monarchy, spread over five afternoons. The single competition lasts very little, minutes or even seconds, which are the subject of bets. In Ascot, however, as David Lloyd said, you don’t go so much or just to see who wins, but for the outfit. And, of course, i hair!
When, about a month ago, I received the fateful invitation, my first question was exactly this: “Oh my God, how do I dress?”. Also because the Style Guide attached (and that you can find on the official website of the event) was infinite and divided by enclosure, the different areas of the racecourse, from which you can watch the races. Needless to say, I was half faint when I realized I was going to be in Royal Enclosure, the most exclusive of all, because it houses the sector reserved for the royal family. I was a guest of Longines, official partner and timekeeper of the event, which has a lounge (but here they call it box) a short distance from the privée of Carlo and his family. The dress code here it is very rigid and not very inclined to the fashions of the moment. While men get by – so to speak – with tight and cylinderthe ladies have to dribble a lot of “are not permitted – they are not permitted”: no daring necklines, no gaps, mini or shorts. The dress (or the skirt) must be to the knee or just below, the shoulders strictly covered, even if you wear a pashmina – and that’s why the always impeccable Kate generally chooses long-sleeved models -. Pants can be worn but in a suit with a jacket. The suit (obviously long) was also cleared through customs thanks to Sophie of Wessex, wife of Prince Edward, in 2019. hat is obligatory: no fascinator but a headpiece with a brim not less than ten centimeters. And at the same time not excessive: fruit, birds and other oddities that are photographed during the event do not concern the ladies of the Royal Enclosurewhich can still indulge themselves with various shapes, shades and applications.
In this regard, it seems that for years the most popular bet linked to Ascot was precisely that on cap color who would have worn the Queen. Mine was light pink, with fabric flowers, feathers and veils on the left side, perfectly matching the tulip dress, for me fabulous, of Luisa Beccaria: when I thought about which designer could interpret English romanticism with an absolutely Italian touch, she immediately came to mind. It is no coincidence that she is used to dressing ladies for this event … Balloon sleeves, squeezed bodice that opens onto the full skirt: I brilliantly passed the control at the entrance to the racecourse and suddenly found myself catapulted into a parallel world , where entire families arrive with their own carriagegentlemen sip Champagne (which flows here in rivers), ladies set up elegant picnic under the gazebos. After crossing the park that runs along the race track, you enter the building where there are bars, offices and the famous Royal Enclosure, which extends over two floors: on the first there is the royal privée with a large terrace, overlooking the photo-finish of the races. After passing another check, this time very strict, I go up to the second floor in the Longines box, where lunch will be served.
Traditionally, you arrive at the racecourse, which is about an hour and a half from central London and 11 kilometers from Windsor Castle, in the late morning. But the races start at 2.30pm, after the most social and solemn moment of the day: the royal processiona procession of three carriages that leaves at 14 o’clock from the Ascot Gate and that passes along the track, on the notes of theNational anthem. Until that time, no one knows which members of the royal family will participate in the competitions. I attended the first procession, that of June 14th. Like everyone, until the end, I hoped that the cameras would frame the face of His Majesty, but that was too much to ask. It was still thrilling to see Carlo, Camillaall in blue, ed Edward on the first carriage, the princess Anna in beige on the second, Elisabetta’s cousins ​​on the third.
From then on it is a succession of races in which some of the players compete over different distances horses more fast (And Dear) of the world. The same Queen is owner (as well as the racecourse) of one of the stables stronger in terms of wins. A passion which he also passed on to his own sons. I clearly perceive it when I go down to the internal area destined for the awards ceremony and where only the royals have access together with the jockeys and the owners of the horses: the Princess Anna he rushes to caress one, while his brother Edward welcomes a winner (also beautiful Longines watches up for grabs). His wife Sophie unfortunately he did not reach it, remaining in the royal privée. Instagram informs me, however, that she is wearing a fabulous burgundy hat with ribbons combined with the pink dress, with a draped neckline. I agree with those who elected her more glamorous of the day together with Zara Phillips Tindall (with a skirt perhaps a little short by Ascot standards) and to Princess Beatrice, also in pink flowers, which recalled her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s tie. But my attention is suddenly distracted by the vision of Camillawho passes me right next to me with Carlo: I will have touched the next queen?
Royal Ascot 2022: Kate pays tribute to Diana (and all the look of the fourth day)
– Royal Ascot 2022: Zara Tindall and Sophie of Wessex win the style contest in Ladies Day
– Royal Ascot 2022: Beatrice of York, the style queen of the racecourse, and all the looks of the second day
– Royal Ascot 2022: all the looks of the first day
-
1/7 -
2/7 -
3/7
-
4/7 -
5/7 -
6/7
-
7/7
Source: Vanity Fair
