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For the first time since she was crowned Queen, Her Majesty won’t be able to attend Royal Ascot in person, one of the highlights of the racing season. This disruption in her diary will likely cause sadness to the Queen, who is known around the world for being a racing enthusiast. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams noted how important this yearly event is for the Queen. 

He told Express.co.uk: “For the first time in her 68-year reign, the Queen will not be attending in person.

“She will undoubtedly be following the event on television, though sadly this year members of the public will not be able to attend owing to COVID-19.

“There will therefore not be the customary royal procession.”

The races, as confirmed earlier this month in a statement issued by Ascot Racecourse, are taking place behind closed doors while bearing in mind the Government advice on coronavirus. 

But the Queen will still be able to get a taste of Royal Ascot as it is going to be broadcasted.

Mr Fitzwilliams added: “However, the plan is to feature 36 races over the usual five days and the event will be covered by a team from ITV.”

Ascot Racecourse’s Chief Executive Guy Henderson announced in April the event will not go ahead in its traditional form.

He said: “For public health and safety reasons we have reached the difficult but unavoidable conclusion that Royal Ascot 2020 (Tuesday 16th – Saturday 20th June) will not be able to take place as an event open to the public.

“This will of course be a great disappointment for everyone planning to attend.”

This year’s races are going to be even more special for the Queen thanks to a homage paid by Royal Ascot to the monarch’s ancestors.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: “The Queen will undoubtedly take pleasure in the special royal connections in the names of three new races being run this year.

“These are the Copper Horse Handicap, a nod to the bronze statue of George III on horseback at the end of Long Walk in Windsor, the Golden Gates Handicap, named after the ceremonial entrance point for the royal procession at the end of the straight mile and the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap, named after the official residence of the monarch in Scotland.

“Sadly, owing to the pandemic, the traditions which make Royal Ascot so special, the thrilling races, the fashion and the picnics, will have to wait until next year.

“Hopefully we will just have celebrated Prince Philip’s centenary the week before as well.”

This year’s Royal Ascot is taking place between June 16 and 20.

While it is going to be impossible to replicate the same experience at home, the Ascot Racecourse is set to release a series of activities horse-racing fans can carry out to celebrate their favourite event. 

Activities will run through the course of each day, ranging from celebrity chef recipes to jockey workouts and sing-along celebrations.

The Queen has already celebrated an important victory with one of her horses earlier this month, shortly after the racing season reopened.

On Tuesday, her horse First Receiver triumphed at Kempton.    

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