ROYAL ASCOT 18-22 JUNE. Highlight of the Season. Richard Fitzwilliams available 07939602749

ROYAL ASCOT 18-22nd June. Richard Fitzwilliams, royal and social commentator has attended Royal Ascot for over four decades, attends all five days and is available on 07939602749 see www.richardfitzwilliams.com ? @RFitzwilliams

This will be King Charles’s second Royal Ascot and he is likely to make an effort to attend as many days as he can, depending on his doctors’ advice, as he is battling cancer. He and the Queen have taken over Queen Elizabeth’s stable and have discovered an interest in racing. Last year they were much moved when Desert Hero, one of the late Queen’s horses, won the King George V Handicap. The late Queen was a world expert and Royal Ascot was the first date placed in her diary each year.

The Jockey Club’s relaxation of dress codes at its racecourses has thankfully not been followed at Royal Ascot. However, its Style Guide has laid emphasis on sustainability and encouraged innovation and it has appointed its first creative director, Daniel Fletcher.

In 2012 Royal Ascot tightened the dress codes in the Royal Enclosure and the fascinator was banned, head coverings must be a minimum of 10cm in diameter, shoulder straps must be of one inch or greater and midriffs must be covered. Dresses and skirts must fall just above knee length or longer. Morning dress is required for men. The result has been a substantial and timely improvement in the overall standard of dress.

Two sponsors are required by the Royal Enclosure, but members are allowed to bring up to two guests on all days save Thursday.

In 2011 Royal Ascot celebrated its tercentenary since it was founded by Queen Anne in 1711. The prestigious royal carriage procession was added in 1825 by George 1V and became an annual event as its prestige grew.

Royal Ascot has remained the highlight of the Social Season and is also Europe’s largest race meeting, with an increasingly international competition and several famous races, especially the Gold Cup, begun in 1807. Successful jockeys include Frankie Dettori (of the unforgettable “Magnificent Seven” wins in 1996) who is returning this year but not to ride, Pat Eddery and Kieran Fallon. Lester Piggott was the most popular jockey in Royal Ascot’s history and had enormous success there for decades. In 2009 Yeats won his fourth Gold Cup. Frankel was unbeaten. Queen Elizabeth had 24 wins at Royal Ascot, winning the Gold Cup with Estimate in 2013. I remember the rejoicing well.

Royal Ascot is a fabulous fashion parade, with Gold Cup Day or “Ladies Day” at its centre. It was immortalized on stage and screen In My Fair Lady and also featured in Arabesque, the Yellow Rolls Royce and A View to a Kill. One of its enduring strengths is that it has successfully adapted to changing times whilst keeping up standards is that it has successfully adapted to changing times whilst keeping up standards.

In 2006 the new ￡200 million Ascot Grandstand re-opened after a year’s relocation to York, though subsequent changes were needed, especially to the Royal Enclosure. The enlargement of the Enclosure in recent years has been most impressive.

There is, of course, that most English of hazards, the weather, though it is a paradise for picnickers and spots on the number one and two car parks are coveted. On a sunny days the view of the course and the dazzling colours of many spectacular outfits as well as the roar of the crowd at the end of a close race makes it one of the most colourful and spectacular sights on earth.

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