Royal Ascot 2020: Welcome to the virtual 'Stay Home Enclosure' (what a hat!)

London
London
Berkshire
Royal Ascot
Wednesday 17 June 2020 at 11:29am

Tracy Rose's eye-catching rainbow hat Credit: ITV News

There may not be a single hat in sight at Royal Ascot this year but the famous colourful tradition is continuing online.

This is Royal Ascot's 'Stay Home Enclosure' made possible by a video call set up by hat maker Tracy Rose and her husband Russell.

Tracy has spent years making hats for Ascot and this year designed an eye-catching NHS rainbow hat.

Tracy Rose's eye-catching rainbow hat Credit: ITV News

More than 300,000 guests, dressed in their finery, usually gather for the five-day sporting and social highlight in Berkshire.

But this year there will be no monarch, no royal carriage procession, no trophy presentations and no spectators amid strict Government guidelines brought in when racing resumed at the start of the month.

In her annual message, which forms the introduction to the racecards, the Queen said:

I send my best wishes to the thousands of racing professionals and enthusiasts who will join me in celebrating this year’s Royal Ascot. In these challenging times, we are once again delighted to welcome the best horses and jockeys from across the world and pay tribute to those who have helped make this race meeting possible. This year Ascot will feel different for many, as it is so often a chance for friends, families and colleagues to gather together and enjoy a shared passion. I am sure however, that with the valiant efforts of the organisers, owners, trainers and stable staff, it will remain one of Britain’s finest sporting occasions and a highlight of the racing calendar. To everyone attending Royal Ascot, in person or virtually, I hope you have a most enjoyable and unique week of racing.

Tracy Rose's stay at home party is raising money to take NHS workers to Ascot next year.

But this year she is making the most of not worrying, for once, about the weather.