Date: 6/11/2018 5:25 PM UTC

ROYAL ASCOT 2016 MEMORIES

Archie Burkel (Hat Ladies of Charleston, SC) Shares her 2016 

Royal Ascot Experience 

If there is one hat-wearing icon that stands head and heels above the rest, it is Audrey Hepburn.  And if there is one horse racing competition that captures the imagination above the rest, it is The Royal Ascot. The ROYAL ASCOT is Britain’s prestigious Horse Race.

Thus, when Audrey Hepburn went to the Races at Ascot, the result was a timeless silver screen spectacular known as My Fair Lady. Every hat-loving lady in the world stills feels her heart thumping, not from the excitement of the races themselves, but from seeing the incomparable hats worn by those lucky enough to be there.

It is enough to make any hat lover put going to The Royal Ascot at the top of her bucket list.

My longing became reality by chance.  I had always thought one had to be royalty at some level to earn entry; after all, it IS the "Royal" Ascot.  One day I overheard two ladies chatting about having been there.  A few questions later, I learned there were tickets in two sections that were open to the public: 

One is General Admission, which has some seating, restrooms, concession stands, and minimal protection from inclement weather; the other is The Furlong Club.  For a heftier, but still reasonable price tag, one was guaranteed a private room, complete with floor to ceiling windows, sufficient tables and comfortable chairs, mini restaurants, and a reasonable number of restroom facilities. 

Whatever option one chooses, the best thing at The Royal Ascot is absolutely free and open to everyone, wherever they hang their hat:  "Seeing and being seen..."

The spectacular scene of Audrey and others in their stunning black and white is repeated over and over again in a rainbow of colorful chapeau perfectly complimented by stunning dresses and shoes.  The tasteful attempt to outshine all others is a non stop feast for the eyes. Picture yourself in the ultimate "candy shop" of hats.  It is virtually impossible to know where to point one's camera first.

Just when you think you might have seen it all, in comes the Queen, in her always impeccably matching ensemble.  She's there, not just because she is the epitome of royalty and hats, but because she literally has at least one horse in the race!  Thus, if you see her wearing an odd color or two, it's because it matches her jockey's colors.

The Royal Ascot runs for five days. Five of us Hat Ladies of Charleston (and 3 husbands) chose to go Opening Day, which is always a Tuesday, and, the Day of all Days, Ladies Day, which is always a Thursday.  Here are photos from those glorious days; they'll always be more than words.

By now should hear the beating of your heart and feel it racing.  What are you waiting for? Now is the time to get tickets for The Royal Ascot 2019.  You, too, can hold a winning ticket.

***THE ROYAL ASCOT 2018 begins JUNE 19***

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