Royal Ascot 2022 is back (but without Queen Elizabeth)

There Queen Elizabeth II he didn’t hear of it and for the first time he gave up on one of his favorite appointments: the opening of Royal Ascot 2022the five days dedicated to thoroughbred horse races which is above all – for three hundred years – occasion for public relations, business and exhibition of whimsical hats.

Elizabeth II, a great lover of horses (e winner of 24 races so far at the meeting), he never missed the opening, the day when the royals arrive by carriage at 14 o’clock. But this year, fatigued by the Jubileeby the weight of the years and by ailments that give her no respite, she has had to limit herself to one greeting message.

«I welcome everyone to this returning event at full power for the first time since 2019 », His Majesty began. Who then thanked the equestrian community: «I am extremely grateful for the continued kindness demonstrated to me by the racing world “, he said, also recalling that” in support of the The Queen’s Green Canopy initiativethe Ascot Racecourse and the Crown Estate have planted seventy oak trees in Windsor Great Park, associating each tree with a school ‘.

The lack of Elisabetta, however, was felt, especially among the spectators not admitted to the Royal Enclosure, who hoped to see the Queen at least from a distance. And that they also had to give up Dukes of Cambridgecommitted elsewhere (although the Daily Mail make sure there were the Duchess’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton).

To represent the sovereign, however, she thought about it – as more and more often lately – her son Charlesthe heir to the throne, accompanied by his wife Camilla of Cornwall. To them, having arrived in a carriage with their nephew, Peter Phillipsthe royal princess was added to the draft Annawith his daughter Zara and the son-in-law Mike TindallPrince Edwardwith his wife Sophie of Wessexand the princess Beatrice of York with her husband Edoardo Mapelli-Mozziwho chatted amiably with Prince Charles.

The atmosphere, according to those present, was relaxed and cheerfulthe caps were sufficiently whimsical and the dress code of the various Enclosure respected by all. In short, it seemed as if we had returned to the times before the pandemic. With one difference: the Queen was missing. And she felt.

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