Which monarch founded ascot

Ascot is where they congregate to let their hair down -- while keeping their dress code-mandated hats firmly on, of course.

It happens with military precision. At 2pm sharp every day of the five-day meet, the royals come down the course in open horse-drawn landaus, along the straight mile by the grandstands. The royal procession was started in by King George IV, a lover of pomp and pageantry. This is probably the closest sighting we ever get of the royal family all together, much more intimate than those long-distance views of the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

Do we ever see the Queen more animated than at the races? Year after year, photographers have captured her uninhibited excitement as the horses cross the line -- especially when she has a winner. The same often goes for the rest of the royal party, caught open mouthed, jumping up and down. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie in particular seem to excel at this. This helps to attract the thousands upon thousands of spectators each year. Being able to see the British monarchs in person, in a formal setting, is a rare thrill for many people.

The sense of spectacle and British tradition ensures visitors come from across the globe, while millions more watch on television and online. While the first race was held in , the first Royal Meeting as we know it today or, rather, as close to it as we can imagine took place in This was an idea from the wife of the clerk of the course at the time and has grown in popularity ever since.

Around , people attend Royal Ascot each year and with many attractions before and after the horse racing to keep racegoers interested then these numbers are only set to increase in the coming years. It currently stages eight Group One races over the five days. The first item on the entertainment agenda for Royal Ascot racegoers each day, then arrives at 2pm on the dot, in the shape of the Royal Procession.

Then and only then is it time for top class racing action to take over. Of the 30 magnificent races at Royal Ascot , fully 18 of them are group level contests, with eight of those being the highest level group one races. Brown Jack was one of the earliest equine phenomena to grace Royal Ascot. A former Champion Hurdle winner, the horse switched codes to the flat and went on to make a winning appearance at seven straight royal meetings between and In more recent times, the legendary Yeats also made the Royal Ascot turf his own by winning four consecutive Gold Cups between and During the royal meeting, racegoers have a choice of three main enclosures from which they can enjoy the very best of Royal Ascot hospitality.

The Royal Enclosure is still an invite only affair and is the most exclusive and high profile place to watch horse racing in the entire world. The Queen Anne Enclosure, meanwhile, is situated close to the parade ring and the winning post, and offers a spectacular array of food, drink and hospitality alternatives, all surrounding the beautifully manicured Queen Anne Lawn.