Saddle up, racing fans – it’s almost time for Royal Ascot 2023!

The meeting dates back to 1768 and has always been well attended by members of the royal family. This year’s event marks the first since Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, meaning it will be King Charles III’s first Royal Ascot as our new monarch.

And while the crowds will eagerly be awaiting his arrival each day, it will also be their last opportunity to see racing royalty on the Berkshire track.

Frankie Dettori will ride at Royal Ascot for the final time ahead of his retirement later this year. The veteran jockey made history at the meeting back in 1996, winning all seven races on British Festival of Racing Day. Dettori also famously steered the legendary Stradivarius to a hat-trick of Gold Cup wins between 2018 and 2020.

Royal Ascot 2023 schedule

Tuesday 20th June

If you fancy some first class racing, look no further than day one. As ever, the royal meeting kicks off with the Queen Anne Stakes, a Group 1 race named after the queen that founded the famous racecourse way back in 1711.

And the Group 1 races keep on coming, with the King’s Stand Stakes and the St James’s Palace Stakes also on the agenda.

2:30pm – The Queen Anne Stakes

3:05pm – The Coventry Stakes

3:40pm – The King’s Stand Stakes

4:20pm – The St James’s Palace Stakes

5:00pm – The Ascot Stakes

5:35pm – Wolferton Stakes

6:10pm – Copper Horse Stakes

Wednesday 21st June

Day two kicks off with the Queen Mary Stakes before the Group 1 action continues with the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, where Luxembourg and Adayar are expected to go well.

Meanwhile, the mile-long Duke of Cambridge Stakes is also taking place, which no horse has ever won more than once.

2:30pm – The Queen Mary Stakes

3:05pm – The Kensington Palace Stakes

3:40pm – The Duke of Cambridge Stakes

4:20pm – The Prince of Wales’s Stakes

5:00pm – The Royal Hunt Cup

5:35pm – The Queen’s Vase

6:10pm – The Windsor Castle Stakes

Thursday 22nd June

Day three is traditionally the busiest day of the meeting and not just because it’s Ladies Day! All eyes will be on the track for the Gold Cup, with Coltrane and Eldar Eldarov going head-to-head for glory.

The famous race is one of the most prestigious in the world and is the first leg of the Stayer’s Triple Crown. Elsewhere, you can enjoy the Ribblesdale Stakes, whichgenerally features horses from the Epsom Oaks from a few weeks ago, as well as the Norfolk Stakes.

2:30pm – The Norfolk Stakes

3:05pm – The King George V Stakes

3:40pm – The Ribblesdale Stakes

4:20pm – The Gold Cup

5:00pm – The Britannia Stakes

5:35pm – The Hampton Court Stakes

6:10pm – The Buckingham Palace Stakes

Friday 23rd June

If you’re joining us on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot, you’re in for a treat! In the Commonwealth Cup and the Coronation Stakes we’ve got another two Group 1 races to look forward to.

Plus, the King Edward VII Stakes traditionally features horses that ran the Derby at Epsom earlier this month, where Auguste Rodin narrowly beat King of Steel.

2:30pm – The Albany Stakes

3:05pm – The Commonwealth Cup

3:40pm – The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes

4:20pm – The Coronation Stakes

5:00pm – The Sandringham Stakes

5:35pm – The King Edward VII Stakes

6:10pm – The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes

Saturday 24th June

The Saturday at Royal Ascot is the last day of the meeting – but it is by no means the least. The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is the headline race of the day and it’s part of the Global Sprint Challenge alongside nine other races worldwide.

It follows the Hardwicke Stakes before the world’s longest professional flat race, the Queen Alexandra Stakes, brings the curtain down on yet another magical week of racing.

2:30pm – The Chesham Stakes

3:05pm – The Jersey Stakes

3:40pm – The Hardwicke Stakes

4:20pm – The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

5:00pm – The Wokingham Stakes

5:35pm – The Golden Gates Stakes

6:10pm – The Queen Alexandra Stakes

Royal Ascot dress code

As you’d expect from the royal meeting, the dress code at Royal Ascot is fairly strict. The main thing to remember is to dress to impress, with all enclosures requiring guests to dress for a formal daytime occasion.

Queen Anne Enclosure

Ladies must wear a dress or top and skirt, with shoulder or halter neck straps. There is no minimum length but lace or chiffon fabrics are not allowed.

Trouser suits are also allowed, as long as they match in material and colour, as are jumpsuits that fall below the knee. A hat, headpiece or fascinator must also be worn.

Men are required to wear a full length two or three-piece suit with jackets and trousers matching in material. Morning dress is also permitted.

A collared shirt, necktie and socks that cover the ankle are mandatory. Cravats, bow ties and neckerchiefs are not allowed, nor are trainers, denim, leggings or shorts.

Village Enclosure

Those joining us in our ICON facility will have access to the Village Enclosure. For ladies, the dress code remains the same as the Queen Anne Enclosure. Sheer or strapless dresses and tops are not permitted and midriffs must be covered.

Gentlemen must wear a suit jacket or blazer, matched with a full length trouser or chino. A collared shirt and socks must be worn, along with a necktie, bow tie or cravat. As before, trainers, denim, leggings and shorts are not permitted.

Ladies Day dress code

While the dress code doesn’t officially change for day three of Royal Ascot, it’s traditionally known as Ladies Day. In between enjoying the racing and looking forward to the Gold Cup, all eyes will be on the outfits of all the lovely ladies in attendance.

Guests often use Ladies Day as an excuse to make a statement with their outfit, wearing extravagant hats, flamboyant dresses and dazzling jewellery.