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This year, the Queen is not attending Royal Ascot in person for the first time in 68 years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, the coverage of the first day of the races was opened with a touching tribute to the monarch, who is surely following Royal Ascot from her home in Windsor. 

The Royal Holloway Choir joined British soprano Laura Wright to beautifully perform God Save The Queen via video link.

In the clip shared ahead of the ITV’s coverage of the first day of Royal Ascot, images of the singers were mixed with archive images of the Queen horse-riding or attending Royal Ascot.

The video was hugely appreciated by royal fans on Twitter, with one writing: “Aw, I love this”.

Another said: “This is so lovely”. 

Royal Ascot races are taking place behind closed doors in accordance with Government guidelines on coronavirus.

Preventing the public from attending the races will help stop the spread of the virus.

Ascot Racecourse has also enhanced its hygiene standards and is to maintain in place social-distancing measures during the event.

The Queen, who will surely follow the races on TV, penned a statement to racing fans yesterday to mark the beginning of Royal Ascot.

In her message, the monarch expresses her delight as horse-racing has been able to return despite the coronavirus crisis.

The Queen wrote: “I send my best wishes to the thousands of racing professionals and enthusiasts who will join me in celebrating this year’s Royal Ascot.

“In these challenging times, we are once again delighted to welcome the best horses and jockeys from across the world and pay tribute to those who have helped make this race meeting possible.

“This year Ascot will feel different for many, as it is so often a chance for friends, families and colleagues to gather together and enjoy a shared passion.

“I am sure, however, that with the valiant efforts of the organisers, owners, trainers and stable staff, it will remain one of Britain’s finest sporting occasions and a highlight of the racing calendar.

“To everyone attending Royal Ascot, in person or virtually, I hope you have a most enjoyable and unique week of racing.”  

The Queen is self-isolating only six miles away from where Royal Ascot takes place.

The Ascot Racecourse was founded by Queen Anne in 1707.

The Queen has been attending without fail over the past six decades and, until he retired from public office in 2017, she was often accompanied by Prince Philip. 

However, the Duke of Edinburgh has never been as interested in the sport as his wife, according to a royal author.

Tim Heald wrote in his book The Duke: A Portrait of Prince Philip: “Horse racing appears to be the least of the Duke’s equine passions and although he is invariable in the carriage on the drive to races he frequently seems to be missing during the racing itself.” the first-ever Royal Ascot she ever missed as monarch.  

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