a crowd scene at royal ascot ladies day with jockeys walking to the paddock

The centrepiece of Ascot?s year, Royal Ascot is one of Europe''s most famous race meetings, and dates back to 1711 when it was founded by Queen Anne. Every year Royal Ascot is attended by HM Elizabeth II and various members of the British Royal Family such as The Prince of Wales, arriving each day in a horse-drawn carriage with the Royal procession taking place at the start of each race day and the raising of the Queen''s Royal Standard. It is a major event in the British social calendar, and press coverage of the attendees and what they are wearing often exceeds coverage of the actual racing. There are 3 enclosures attended by guests on Royal Ascot week The Royal carriages leave after carrying The Queen to the races The Royal Enclosure is the most prestigious of the three enclosures, with recent visits from the Queen and Royal Family members. Access to the royal enclosure is restricted with high security on the day. First-time applicants must apply to the Royal Enclosure office and gain membership from someone who has attended the enclosure for at least four years. For existing badgeholders, an invitation is sent out by Her Majesty''s Representative to request badges. The badgeholder''s name is written onto the badge and can only be used by that person; the colours of the badges vary each day for one day applicants. Those in the Royal Enclosure have the options of fine dining and hospitality and a selection of bars. The dress code is strictly enforced. For women, only a day dress with a hat or fascinator is acceptable, with rules applying to the length of the dress. In addition, women must not show bare midriffs or shoulders. For men, black or grey morning dress with top hat is required.Over 300,000 people make the annual visit to Berkshire during Royal Ascot week, making this Europe?s best-attended race meeting. There are 16 Group races on offer, with at least one Group One event on each of the five days. The Ascot Gold Cup is on Ladies'' Day on the Thursday. There is over ?3,000,000 of prize money on offer. Ascot now stages the new climax of the British flat racing season, designed to increase the sport''s public profile and to rival the Arc weekend and Breeders'' Cup to attract the best horses. The first Champions'' Day was staged on 15 October 2011 and was generally regarded as a success, though overshadowed by controversy over tough new regulations on the use of the whip. The meeting includes the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the Champion Stakes moved from Newmarket, the British Champions Long Distance Cup won by Ascot Gold Cup winner Fame and Glory, the British Champions Sprint Stakes won by Deacon Blues (also a Royal Ascot winner) and the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes won by Epsom Oaks winner Dancing Rain.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: NU2AP3RH

Materials:

Pencil Drawing

Width (cm):

16 x 36 in. (40.5 x 91.5cm.)

Artware Ltd

Artware Fine Art specialises in fine antique, decorative and historical portraits and topographical pictures . We cover a period from the 17th and 18th centuries through to the 19th & 20th Centuries. We have over 150 portraits in stock, which can be viewed on our web site, each historical portrait has well researched biographical information both on the sitter and the artist.

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