200 years of pageantry: Royal Ascot celebrates bicentenary of iconic Carriage Procession

Royal Ascot, the crown jewel of the summer social season, is marking a momentous milestone in 2025 – the 200th anniversary of its world-famous Royal Procession.

Every June since 1825, the reigning Monarch and members of the Royal Family have arrived on each day of the meeting in grand style, travelling along the Straight Mile in horse-drawn carriages to the delight of cheering crowds. This year, the spectacle takes on added significance as it celebrates two centuries of tradition.

Sitting in the first carriage on the opening day of the 2025 meeting are The King and Queen. They will be joined by Prince Faisal bin Salman al Saud and The Lady Sarah Keswick.

Behind Their Majesties in the second carriage was the Princess Royal. Her Royal Highness will be joined Queen Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot, and by the Duke and Duchess of Wellington.

In the third carriage, The King’s nephew, Peter Phillips, is sitting with his partner, Harriet Sperling. They are joined by author Anthony Horowitz and his wife, Jill.

Finally, in the fourth carriage are Lord and Lady Vestey alongside Henry Morton Jack and his wife, Lady Joanna Morton Jack.

The Royal Procession was first introduced by King George IV, a flamboyant monarch with a flair for ceremony, who sought to formalise the Royal Family’s arrival at the racecourse. It has since become a quintessential part of the Ascot experience – a visual representation of the close ties between the monarchy and the sport of kings.

Throughout the past two centuries, the procession has featured every Monarch from King George IV to King Charles III, with each generation adding its own style while maintaining the time-honoured tradition. Queen Elizabeth II was particularly devoted to Royal Ascot, attending nearly every year of her reign, and often seen waving from the lead carriage with her customary poise and smile.

In 2025, the Royal Procession will be celebrated with special tributes each day of the meeting. Spectators can expect historical displays, commemorative programmes, and a curated exhibition tracing the evolution of the procession – from its Regency origins to the present day.

The procession continues to draw international attention and remains a central part of each day’s proceedings. As the clock strikes two, anticipation builds before the sound of hooves and the sight of four Windsor Greys pulling open-top carriages comes into view.