In her 64 years as monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has never missed a Royal Ascot meeting. She attends each year, with the public eagerly awaiting what colour outfit she will be dressed in. From her very first Royal Ascot as Queen back in 1952, to her most recent visit in 2015, we take a look back at Her Majesty’s visits to the world-famous race in pictures.
1952
Her Majesty’s first visit to Royal Ascot as monarch. She is pictured in a carriage with Prince Philip:
1953
The Queen accompanied by The Queen mother and Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, in the royal box. 1953 was the year HM’s horse, Aureole, won for the first time:
1954:
The Queen and Prince Philip in their carriage at Ascot. Aureole won the race again, the second time Her Majesty’s horse had won the race:
1955:
Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret meet trainer Noel Murless. Her Majesty’s horse, Jardiniere, won the King George V Stakes in 1955:
1956:
The Queen waves to the crowd, as she and Prince Philip arrive for a day of racing:
1957:
The 31-year-old monarch arrives alongside her husband:
1958:
The Queen and Princess Margaret with the Queen’s racehorse, Restoratio, in 1958:
1959:
The Queen pointing something out to her mother in the royal box:
1960:
The Queen takes to the saddle wearing a fawn coloured jacket and head scarf, as she gallops on a black horse along the famous racecourse:
1961:
The Queen, Princess Alice, the Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra of Kent ride around the course in 1961:
1962:
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh greeting the crowd as they arrive by carriage:
1963:
Her Majesty and Prince Philip arriving for a day of racing:
1964:
The royal couple a year later enjoying the sunshine:
1965:
Spectators with the royal box in the background:
1966:
Her Majesty and Prince Philip arrive at Royal Ascot:
1967:
The Queen arrives in the paddock accompanied by the 16th Duke of Norfolk and the Queen Mother:
1968:
The Queen photographed with The Queen Mother in 1968:
1969:
Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne saddle up as they ride along the course:
1970:
The Queen Mother trails behind her daughter, and granddaughter, Princess Anne:
1971:
The Queen’s carriage arrives in the rain, but this doesn’t stop the well-wishers coming to get a glimpse of her:
1972:
Her Majesty at Ascot in 1972:
1973:
The Queen and Prince Philip in the carriage procession:
1974:
The Queen waving to the crowd:
1975:
The Queen Mother with her daughter:
1976:
Queen Elizabeth in a lime green coat and matching hat:
1977:
Her Majesty and Princess Margaret at Ascot in 1977:
1978:
The Queen and Prince Philip greeting the crowd:
1979:
The Queen with her winning horse, Expensive:
1980:
The Queen arriving to the race meeting dressed in a read coat and hat:
1981:
The Aga Khan is presented with the trophy by The Queen after his horse, Shergar, wins the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
1982:
The Queen with Commander Michael Trestrail, walking through the crowds:
1983:
The Queen smiling in green:
1984:
The Queen and her equerry:
1985:
The Queen and Prince Philip arrive at Royal Ascot in open carriage:
1986:
Her Majesty wearing a matching blue and white hat back in 1986:
1987:
The Queen with a broad smile on her face as she enjoys the day’s races:
1988:
Her Majesty in the middle of the spectators:
1989:
The carriage procession in 1989:
1990:
Her Majesty braves the rain with an umbrella above her head:
1991:
The Queen with Princess Anne and The Duchess of York:
1992:
Her Majesty holding onto her hat alongside Racing Manager, The Earl Of Carnarvon:
1993:
The monarch walking through the busy crowds:
1994:
The carriage procession in 1994 with The Queen and Prince Philip on board:
1995:
Frankie Dettori receiving the trophy from The Queen after winning the King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes on board Lammtarra:
1996:
Prince Philip waving to the spectators as his wife sits beside him:
1997:
The Queen, Queen Mother and Princess Margaret protect themselves from the rain in the carriage procession:
1998:
Her Majesty among the crowds:
1999:
The Queen and Prince Philip in the carriage procession:
2000:
The Queen helping The Queen Mother after they leave the racecourse:
2001:
The Queen Mother enjoying her last visit to Royal Ascot before her death aged 101:
2002:
Her Majesty attending the races back in 2002:
2003:
The Queen was wearing a radiant pink outfit in 2003:
2004:
An overhead photo of Her Majesty arriving at Ascot with the spectators gathering trying to get a glimpse of her:
2005:
The Queen and Prince Philip arriving at York Racecource. The Royal Ascot meeting was held in York because Ascot Racecourse was closed for major redevelopments:
2006:
Her Majesty with jockey Richard Hughes, was riding The Queen’s horses:
2007:
Her Majesty in the parade ring as people gather in an attempt to see her:
2008:
The Queen is reunited with her horse, Free Agent, after it ran in The Chesham Stakes Race:
2009:
The Queen laughs in the parade ring in the 2009 meeting:
2010:
The Queen and Prince Michael of Kent in the royal box:
2011:
The Queen and Duke of York:
2012:
Her Majesty and other members of The Royal Family watch as Frankel enters the Parade Ring:
2013:
Her Majesty is presented The Gold Cup by Prince Andrew, after her horse, Estimate, won the gold cup in the historic race:
2014:
The Queen was hoping Estimate would win for a second time, sadly, that wasn’t the case:
2015:
The Queen attends her 63rd Royal Ascot as reigning monarch alongside her husband, Prince Philip:
In two of the pictures it is Princess Margaret NOT Princess Anne pictured.
Correct, Sandra! I noticed that too! In one caption it says The Queen in a read coat, it should be in a red coat.
1974 picture is from 1975 race