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Queen Elizabeth II, 94, has penned a moving message to racing fans as she prepares to watch Royal Ascot 2020 from home. The touching statement has been printed in this year’s Royal Ascot racecards as the event is held behind doors for the first time. The Queen is a passionate racing fan but is this year unable to attend the five-day event for the first in her 68-year reign because of the coronavirus crisis.

Royal Ascot 2020 will take place from June 16 to June 20 and will be closed to members of the public.

The races will be broadcast on ITV and Sky Sports and the Queen is expected to tune in to watch from Windsor Castle.

The Queen is one of the largest thoroughbred owners and breeders and Britain and will be disappointed not to attend what is said to be her favourite royal event of the year.

In her message, she expresses empathy for “racing professionals and enthusiasts” and says she “delighted” the sport has been able to return despite the coronavirus crisis.

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The Queen’s moving Royal Ascot message in full

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.”

The Queen praised the “valiant efforts” of Royal Ascot’s organisers and ended her message on a positive note.

She said: “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.”

Ascot racecourse is on Crown Estate land and is technically owned by the Queen, who is currently staying just six miles away at Windsor Castle.

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• Why Prince Philip unlikely to join Queen to watch Royal Ascot

Ascot racecourse was founded by Queen Anne in 1707 and until 1945 the only races held there were the royal meets.

The Queen is usually the guest of honour at Royal Ascot which she attends every day of in June.

She usually has a number of horses running throughout the week and has had a total of 23 winners over the years.

In 2013, the Queen’s horse Estimate won the Gold Cup.

While the Queen is expected to watch the races at Windsor it seems unlikely she will be joined by her husband Prince Philip, 99, who takes less of an interest in the sport.

Despite being an avid carriage drive, racing is said to be the Duke of Edinburgh’s “least favourite” equine sport.

Before his retirement in 2017, he would accompany the Queen to Royal Ascot every year but some reports claim he used to settle in the back and tend to his paperwork rather than watch the racing.

Author Tim Heald touches on Philip’s disinterest in horse racing in his royal biography “The Duke: A Portrait of Prince Philip.”

Mr Heald writes: “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.”

According to Mr Heald, it’s been said the Duke used to sneak away from the racecourse shortly after arrival.

He added: “It has been alleged that on such occasions he enters the royal box, he walks straight through, out the back door and into a waiting car to drive home.

“In fact, he usually goes to the back of the box and works quietly on his papers.

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