The Royal Ascot

In June of 2011, the Ascot Racecourse celebrated it's 300th year! It was founded by Queen Anne in 1711.  It's located in a small town called Ascot, of course, which is about a one-hour train ride from London and about 6 miles from Windsor Castle.  Though there are many horse races held there throughout the year, the Royal Meeting is probably the most famous because this is the one the Queen attends every year.  Below is a picture of the entrance to the venue.

A group of women from the American Women's Club of London ventured out to Ascot on the train the morning of the 2nd day of races.  We met at Waterloo Station in London, where there were hundreds of Ascot goers awaiting the train in their finery.

You see, there are certain rules and regulations regarding the proper attire for attending the event.  The dress code for those in the Royal Enclosure (where the Queen hangs out) is, for women, a day dress with a hat or fascinator and for men, a black or grey morning dress with top hat is required.  We weren't in the Royal Enclosure but we and 99% of everyone else dressed up, too.  All part of the fun!

The girls taking a break from all the strenuous activities - like drinking champagne.

In fact, it is a pretty big party and we had a beautiful day to picnic, drink champagne and PEOPLE WATCH!

Here's a gal  - in fact, a hat designer - who went all out for the occasion. (I doubt, however, that she would have been allowed in the Royal Enclosure - dress too short.)  Not only did her hat match her dress......

her fingernails did too.

The ladies weren't the only ones to dress the part.

The men looked quite dapper.

I'd have loved to have heard this conversation.

This is the Parade Ring where the Royals and other VIPs enter the racecourse by carriage.

Here's Prince Charles and Camilla and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.  The girls' hats for this event were slightly more subdued than at the Royal Wedding!

And, here come Her Majesty, The Queen and Prince Phillip.

Part of the pageantry this year included the Queen's unveiling of a beautiful bronze statue of...

Yeats, Ascot’s greatest equine legend and four-time Gold Cup winner.

It was a great day and even though I did place a few little bets - and lost - the biggest entertainment of the day was just being a part of all the fanfare.  Next year, I'm going with a much bigger, more colorful hat!