Queen Elizabeth II (94) will not be at the Royal Ascot for the first time in her 68-year reign. The five-day horse racing event is taking place this year without crowds due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Queen is in isolation at Windsor Castle with her husband Prince Philip (99). According to British media reports, the monarch will watch the television coverage of Ascot there – after all, some of her horses are also starting.
The queen is known for her horse love. She traditionally visits Ascot every year. And her racehorses also generate income: Elizabeth II is said to have won around £ 7m (around € 7.8m) in prize money in races over the past three decades.
Queen also in the saddle herself
At 94, the Queen herself regularly sits in the saddle. The palace published pictures at the end of May, on which you can see how she rode on the grounds of Windsor Castle with her 14-year-old fur pony – that's the name of the robust pony breed – named Balmoral Fern. Riding is said to be one of the Queen's favorite pastimes during the lockdown.