Ascot - The Royal Enclosure

Based on the recommendation of a friend - TJ and I wrote to the American embassy, to request tickets for the Royal enclosure at Ascot. The embassy is given a certain amount of tickets - that they then give their citizens to allow access to this formal area of the races. After submitting a required recommendation we were granted access!

Entrance to the royal enclosure requires men to wear a morning suit, with top hat, and women to cover their shoulders, wear a knee length dress, and a hat or 'substantial fascinator'. Hmmm, what is that? Well a fascinator is one of those little hats that you see members of the royal family wearing - they look like feathers pinned in the hair.

I decided if I needed to wear a hat - to go big. It was a lot of fun. TJ and turned heads as we walked to, and then took the tube in these outfits. Once we got to the train station and joined hundreds of other people in Ascot dress, (a lot of people wear hats even if they are not in the enclosure) got our champagne and headed off to the races.

I think I forgot that Ascot actually involved horse racing - I was so excited about the culture and people-watching. It was amazing to see so many top hats and big hats. We placed bets based on names and went out to watch the royal family arrive.

TJ and I staked out two locations - his to see their carriages pass by on the long stretch, me to hopefully get a close up picture as they came into the 'parking' area. The Queen, Prince Phillip and certain members of the family arrive in carriages, the others in Land Rovers. Our plan worked for the first part- TJ got some beautiful shots of the carriage going by....but hmmm, I sort of foiled it. I turned my head just as the queen's carriage went by! Oh well, that was as close as we got to her that day. They watched the races from their box and we went about our day.

The outfits did not disappoint. The one above was my favorite man of the day. Ha - TJ, look at the THOSE trousers!

This is a funny indication of the difference between being in the royal enclosure, (crowd on the left of the fence,) and in the general admission, (crowds on the right.) I kind of felt like a cross between: 'I don't belong....someone is going to come by and kick me out at any moment' and 'this is AWESOME, this champagne is fantastic, and I NEED to wear more hats.'

This lady was my favorite of the day. Look at the swank silver dress, fun funky shoes, and beautiful feathered statement black hat. She later wore gloves - elegant. modern, & fun.

It was a fun and fascinating day! A huge adventure and amazing insight into a distinct cultural tradition. My pictures are here.