King Charlesis highlighting the special place that horse racing played in the life of his late motherQueen Elizabeth.
In a joint message, the King andQueen Camillawrote in the program (with theirnew cypher!) for the annual Royal Ascot horse race that the event “always played a central role in Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s calendar and the naming of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes will be a most appropriate way to mark this lifelong interest.”
The iconic five-day British horse race kicks off on Tuesday and will include a new tribute to the late Queen. In May, organizersannouncedthat the name of the Group One race on Ascot’s final day would be changed from The Platinum Jubilee Stakes to The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes — a first for the Royal Meeting.
Queen Elizabeth, who died in September at age 96, attended and supported the Royal Ascot throughout her 70-year reign. Much more than a fan of the sport, she owned many racehorses and stabled them at Sandringham — producing an impressive 24 winners at Ascot. Some photos of the late Queen’s prizewinning horses will be displayed at the event, and King Charles and Queen Camilla, 75, wrote that they were sure “this exhibition will prompt many happy memories.”
Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Alan Brooke.Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
“Finally, we wish the very best of good fortune to all the owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, and hardworking stable staff with runners this week,” the royal couple concluded. “It is a huge and rare achievement to have a runner at Royal Ascot and we very much hope that you all enjoy the experience.”
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It’s aroyal rolethey will reprise from last year. In 2022, Queen Elizabeth missed the race for the first time ever since her coronation in 1953 amid ongoing mobility issues,Sky Newsreported. Queen Elizabeth was all smiles at the event in 2021 and expertly evaluated some of the horses there.
source: people.com
