ROYAL ASCOT: HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEASON. Richard Fitzwilliams, royal commentator, 07939602749

ROYAL ASCOT 20-24 JUNE. Richard Fitzwilliams, royal and social commentator has attended Royal Ascot for over four decades and broadcasts on the Royal Meeting. He is available on 07939 602 749 see www.richardfitzwilliams.com @RFitzwilliams

There will be enormous interest in King Charles’s appearances during his first Royal Ascot as monarch. He is known not to favour watching racing, preferring to be riding himself (he competed as a jump jockey when young and played polo for 40 years) but Queen Camilla does. Will he attend on all five days and continue the late Queen’s patronage of the sport of kings? Will William and Catherine make an appearance?

The Jockey Club’s loosening of the rules at its racecourses has fortunately not been followed at Royal Ascot. However its Style Guide has placed emphasis on sustainability and encouraged innovation.

Some time ago Royal Ascot tightened the dress codes in the Royal Enclosure, and the fascinator was banned. Shoulder straps must be of one inch or greater and midriffs must be covered. Jumpsuits are allowed. The result has been a substantial and timely improvement in the overall standard of dress.

Two sponsors are required for the Royal Enclosure but members are allowed to bring up to two guests on all days save Tuesday.

In 2011 Royal Ascot celebrated its tercentenary since it was founded by Queen Anne, who also raced at York, in 1711. The colourful royal carriage procession was added in 1825 by George IV and became an annual event since 1920 as its prestige grew.

Royal Ascot has remained the highlight of the Social Season and is also Europe’s largest race meeting, with an increasingly international competition and several famous races especially the Gold Cup which dates from 1807. Successful jockeys include Frankie Dettori (of the unforgettable “Magnificent Seven” wins in 1996) who is retiring this year, Pat Eddery and Kieran Fallon. Lester Piggott was the most popular jockey in Royal Ascot’s history and had enormous success there for decades. The late Queen’s horse, Estimate, won the Gold Cup in 2013 to her delight, she had 22 wins at Royal Ascot. In 2009 Yeats won his fourth Gold Cup.

Royal Ascot is a fabulous fashion parade with Gold Cup Day or “Ladies Day”, dating from 1807 as its centre. It was immortalized on stage and screen in My Fair Lady and also featured in Arabesque, the Yellow Rolls Royce and A View to a Kill. One of its enduring strengths is that it has successfully adapted to changing times whilst keeping up standards.

In 2006 the new £200 million Ascot Grandstand re-opened after a year’s relocation to York though subsequent changes were needed, especially to the Royal Enclosure.

There is, of course, that most English of hazards, the weather, though Ascot is a paradise for picnickers and spots on the number one and two car parks are coveted. Last year men were allowed to remove their ties for the first time ever because of the heat. On a sunny day the view of the course and the dazzling colours of many spectacular outfits and the roar of the crowd at the end of a close race, makes it one of the most colourful and exciting sights on earth.