Royal Ascot's most memorable moments: From Edward VIII's indiscretion to the Queen winning the Gold Cup...
historian IAN LLOYD reveals all By Ian Lloyd Published: 07:01, 18 June 2024 | Updated: 07:01, 18 June 2024 e-mail View comments They call it the Sport of Kings and with some justification. Horse racing has attracted British monarchs for centuries and King Charles III is likely to continue the trend this week - if his health allows him to attend Royal Ascot . If he again leads the famous Royal Procession, he will be following in the footsteps of the greatest racing fan of them all - his late mother Queen Elizabeth II .
In her 70-year reign, the Queen missed the annual jamboree on only a handful of occasions. And, as I reveal below, there have been some very special moments in Royal Ascot's 300-year history. The late Queen became the first reigning monarch to have a horse win the Gold Cup The royal party at Ascot in 1929.
The Duke of York, seen talking to the Marchioness of Anglesey and the Duchess of York , next to Lady Mary Lygon in 1929 1. Under starter's orders Ascot racecourse was founded at the start of the 18th Century by another equine loving monarch – Queen Anne. Read More Charles plans to attend Royal Ascot as he tells aides: 'I want to honour the late Queen's memory' While out riding near Windsor Castle she came upon an area of open heath and decided it would be an ideal place for 'horses to gallop at full stretch.
' The inaugural event was Her Majesty's Plate,.
