Royal Ascot

The Ascot Racecourse is more than famous. Located in the town of Ascot, in Berkshire, it’s used for thoroughbred racing and is one of England’s top courses, hosting nine of the 32 Group 1 races in Great Britain.

Queen Anne founded the course in 1711, holding the first race, “Her Majesty’s Plate,” for a purse of 100 guineas. Parliament acted in 1813 to ensure that the race course would remain a public entity, and in doing so, passed an act creating the Ascot Authority, the body responsible for the management of the course to this day.

The Royal Ascot is the annual race meeting held by the Authority, and has blossomed into not only an organizational affair, but also a major moment on the Brit social calendar.

One needn’t wander far to get a glimpse of high fashion, audacious hats, and prim, proper gentlemen in “Full Morning” dress.

Good luck getting into the Royal Enclosure – the Queen’s party – invitations here are tighter than White House security at a dignitary dinner after the breach.