The History of Horse-Drawn Carriage Arrivals at Royal Ascot

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Arriving by Carriage: Then and Now

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For generations, horse-drawn carriages were an entirely practical way of travelling to Royal Ascot. Families would depart from Windsor, the surrounding villages and, in some cases, much further afield, with the journey itself forming part of the day's occasion.

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My father welcomed guests in exactly the same tradition, and today we continue that heritage, carefully adapting it for the welfare of our horses and the comfort of our guests.

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Modern roads, traffic and changing travel patterns mean that long carriage journeys are no longer appropriate. Instead, our guests travel comfortably by private chauffeur before enjoying the final stage of their Royal Ascot journey by horse-drawn carriage.

 

This allows the horses to arrive fresh, relaxed and ready for the occasion, while our guests enjoy the very best of both worlds: modern comfort combined with one of Britain's most enduring traditions.

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The History of Horse-Drawn Carriage Arrivals at Royal Ascot

For more than three centuries, the journey to Royal Ascot has been as much a part of the occasion as the racing itself. From Queen Anne's carriage journeys between Windsor and Ascot to today's Royal Procession, the arrival has evolved while preserving the ceremony and pageantry that make Royal Ascot unlike any other sporting event in the world.

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1711 – A Racecourse Founded by a Queen

Royal Ascot's story begins in 1711 when Queen Anne identified an area of open heathland near Windsor as ideal for racing. Her vision established what would become Britain's most celebrated racecourse and created a lasting connection between Windsor Castle and Ascot.

Travelling by horse-drawn carriage was simply the way royalty travelled, and Queen Anne regularly journeyed between Windsor and Ascot along the route now known as Queen Anne's Ride, parts of which can still be seen within Windsor Great Park today.

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1825 – George IV Creates the Royal Procession

Although Ascot had enjoyed royal patronage from its earliest days, the ceremonial arrival that defines Royal Ascot today began in 1825 during the reign of King George IV.

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On 31 May 1825, the King led the first official Royal Procession from Windsor Castle to Ascot. Accompanied by the Duke of Wellington and members of the Royal Household travelling in four further carriages, the procession transformed the royal arrival into a public celebration of monarchy, ceremony and tradition.

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Almost two hundred years later, the Royal Procession remains one of the defining moments of every Royal Ascot meeting.