Royal Ascot

For the next 3 weeks I had really busy weeks, it started with Royal Ascot on June 21. I had no idea that Royal Ascot existed until Jessica told me about it a few months ago. It's a horse race that the Queen and the royal family like to attend. Royal Ascot runs from Tuesday to Saturday. There were three classes of tickets. The highest and most posh is Royal Enclosure. To be able to get in, you must be invited or be a member. Not sure what it takes to be a member. It sounds very expensive. If you're not a member, you have to be sponsored by a member, somebody that has gone to Royal Ascot 4 times, or for foreign nationals, you can apply through your embassy. This is what we did. after sending my application and a nice written letter signed by my boss (basically you need to get a letter from somebody who has known you for at least 5 years and can attest that you are a good responsible citizen. Since you can potentially be 5 feet away from the Queen, they want to make sure you're not crazy and won't jeopardize her safety).

After lots of planning, the plan was to meet at my flat and got picked up by a car service to Royal Ascot. On the way there, we picked up Roseanne who lived on the south side of London.

At home

 The traffic to Ascot race horse was horrible. It took us 2 hours to get there from London. at this point, we were questioning our decisions, probably taking a train from Waterloo was a better idea.

At the car park, after we picked up our hats.

Cheers!

 The store which we rent our hats from was awesome. They provided a pick-up and drop off service from a car park across the street from the race course. They brought mirrors, hairspray and also champagne.

They helped us put our hats on.

From the left, Roseanne, Jessica, Anna and Amy.

Grand Entrance as soon as you enter the Royal Enclosure area.

When we got there, it was already around 1.15PM, the Queen would be at the parade ring at 2PM. We got some food and drink and went straight to the parade ring. After having a glass of white wine at home and champagne at the car park, I could only handle water and Diet Coke for the rest of the day. The weather couldn't be better. Sunny, not so windy and not a single drop of rain.

At the parade ring.

Marching band before the Queen arrived from Windsor Castle

She wears pink! Every thing was a bet, including the Queen's outfit for the day.

They are the race course's owners

The Queen finally arrives

Jessica took this picture. It was hard to take pictures of her from where we stood because we were on the left side of the ring and they were circling counter clock wise.

The rest of Royal family but I don't recognize any of them.

They were coming towards us but the Queen already got off the carriage in the middle of the ring to go to her box.

 After leaving the parade ring, we went inside to get some drinks and rest our feet.

 This is a horse race after all, so we went to watch the horses in action.

Part of Royal Enclosure area.

 

The first race we watched. They had a race every half an hour from 2.30PM to 5.30PM.

I got home around 7.30PM, changed and straight to Paddington Station to meet with my sister and nephew. So excited to see them! I had a blast at Ascot. I didn't know what to expect but it turned out to be a really fun day. Part of it is because I'm here for a short time, so I have to make the most of it. This event is definitely one of the highlights.