Royal Ascot.

Coincidence or what? I’ve just won at 25/1 with a horse called Time for Sandals

I’m kicking myself. I changed my mind at the last minute to Shisospicy 😩

lafergar

Before anybody jumps on me, I am not feeling sorry for myself. I certainly don't envy the RF, not one bit.

However, I have one pair of sandals ( bought in a sale), 2 handbags, no raincoat at present, eeking out dental visits, haircuts and so on, no meals out. This is how many people live.
No concerts, theatre tickets, spa days and similar treats.
If something goes wrong my heart sinks.

I don't care what the Queen wears to be honest.

Coincidence or what? I’ve just won at 25/1 with a horse called Time for Sandals…

Ha ha!
Yes. Totally forgot the VAT.
Apologies.
half the cost still seems unlikely to me but definitely worth it in the government coffers.

Thanks for reminding me.

Before anybody jumps on me, I am not feeling sorry for myself. I certainly don't envy the RF, not one bit.

However, I have one pair of sandals ( bought in a sale), 2 handbags, no raincoat at present, eeking out dental visits, haircuts and so on, no meals out. This is how many people live.
No concerts, theatre tickets, spa days and similar treats.
If something goes wrong my heart sinks.

I don't care what the Queen wears to be honest.

I'm not sure that people struggling financially can't understand, usedtoneblonde - maybe they can't envisage spending a lot on an event for themselves - because clearly they, like most people, don't have the money to swig away on overpriced champers!...

I'm sure we have all "pushed the boat out" for something.
... even if it was only an ice-cream.

At least the race-goers have a (possibly) new outfit to show for it. Oasis tickets don’t even come with a free T-shirt.

I'm with you Usedtobeblonde (me too). There's nothing wrong with having a social conscience. I do worry though, about the poor horses having to race in this heat.

NotSpaghetti

I think you are wrong Silverbrooks
I think the duty on the champagne is about £2.77 a bottle so 65,000 bottles is about £180,000

Duty is paid according to alcohol content;

Duty Rate per Litre of Pure Alcohol: For wines of between 8.5% and 22% ABV, - from February 1, 2025, - is £29.54 per litre of pure alcohol^ as the champagne is in this 8.5% to 22% ABV range and bottles tend to be a standard size I can't see how you got your tax estimate.

Still worth having of course!

Plus VAT at 20% which would be approx £42 a bottle if the retail price is £250

merlotgran

The Queen looks lovely today. She always looks better in pale outfits. I didn’t like Wednesday’s bright green. Too ‘Kermit’!

Ha Ha, I can add looking like kermit to rich nob my three favourite summer dresses are the exact shade of green the Queen wore on Wednesday 🐸👗

Yes, but she looks lovely in all shades of blue

The Queen looks lovely today. She always looks better in pale outfits. I didn’t like Wednesday’s bright green. Too ‘Kermit’!

Quote merlotgran Fri 20-Jun-25 13:31:36
Anniebach
Approximately 600,000; attend Ascot each year, that’s a lot of wealthy people
Depends on what you define as wealthy.

O/P seems to think Ascot = wealth ,

I have been watching some clips from Ascot etc this summer. The young woman attending look lovely. Some of the hats, clothes, shoes are from their local charity shops and very proud of that fact. Others are from the British high street. Don’t begrudge these lovely young women getting dressed up and enjoying a day out with their friends. I don’t. It was a pleasure to watch and listen to them.

Anniebach

Approximately 600,000; attend Ascot each year, that’s a lot of wealthy people

Depends on what you define as wealthy.

Allira

If I ever go (which is unlikely) I'll make sure to wear the hat I had for DD's wedding 20 years ago! I'm more frugal than ostentatious.
👒

You'd fit right in with Princess Anne who wore an outfit to Ascot this week that she previously wore to Trooping the Colour in 1987.

Approximately 600,000; attend Ascot each year, that’s a lot of wealthy people

Wm Shakespeare, ""Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?" Elegran

Absolutely sums it up!👏.

No matter what crap I’m dealing with in my life (and like every other poster it flows and goes before another stream arrives 🤬) I never tire of reading about fun things happening and seeing folks enjoying themselves.

I’d be a failure in my own head if I lost that generosity.

Our town is usually full of racegoers coming and going on the train to Ascot or by coach/limo. It's fun to see the outfits. It's Ascot week like Chelsea, Cowes, Wimbledon fortnight,Goodwood. Its summer time..its great amongst all the horrors of the news.
Just watch for the sun and overdoing it on the Prosecco/Champagne!!

I certainly understand your feelings OP, but, thus has it always been (that saying doesn’t sound right!) There are the top hat and tails brigade, but there are also coach trips - they were very popular where I used to work- where ladies tog themselves up from Next and Top Shop and take Prosecco and tins of cocktails. I love seeing pictures of young girls all coordinated and dressed in outlandish frocks and hats.

vegansrock

If Donald Trump declared himself king of the USA there'd be a revolution. I guess those who think the monarchy is the best system would approve.

In political terms, we don't have a monarchy. We have a king or queen, but they don't rule the country by "executive orders" as Mr Trump does (ie, dictats from a dictator) - and as Mr T and much of the US believe a king can and always does do.

Allira

^If we had a fairer, properly run welfare system we wouldn't be so reliant on the bounty of rich nobs and their charitable donations to plug the gaps.^

So you are labelling any of us who donate to a charity, put food into the cage for the food bank a rich nob are you, Magenta?

I’ll take being called a rich nob better than some of the names I have been called on GN…

If we had a fairer, properly run welfare system we wouldn't be so reliant on the bounty of rich nobs and their charitable donations to plug the gaps.

So you are labelling any of us who donate to a charity, put food into the cage for the food bank a rich nob are you, Magenta?

Calendargirl

NotAGran55

If you think that Royal Ascot fashion is a waste of money, take a look at the debenture resale prices for a single Wimbledon tennis ticket -

£1K to £19K +

I suppose the Royals support Wimbledon as well as Ascot.

Think of the Royal Box.

I’m a supporter of the Monarchy, I know they are extremely wealthy, live privileged lives that most of us can only imagine.

But as my late mum used to say, ‘There’s always been rats and mice, and there always will be’.

Meaning there has always been great wealth, and also great poverty.

It will never alter, it’s a fact of life.

And I wouldn't swap my life for theirs for all the tea in China - or the world!

MayBee70

If it's 20 years old it will probably have come back into fashion. Maybe Ascot should have a competition for best charity shop outfit?

It's never gone out of fashion, Maybee because it's probably never been in fashion 😁

Or one could say it's a timeless classic!

I agree Terribull. The extravagant hen dos. Etc etc deserve an eye roll. The jest in and out of Davos. Conferences which could be held on zoom annoy me more thsn Ascot.

I live in a nearby town and very ordinary folk rock up here to catch a stretch limo to Ascot. The girls in sleeveless dresses and little protection against the sun worry me more. I have in the past watched the changeover in the park for the Royals. From car to carriage. Was always great fun for the crowd of us young mums with littlies in pushchairs and a picnic after. And a long walk back home under shady trees. Lovely memories.

I have also had 2 days at Ascot in the last 10 years courtesy of a friend. No feeling of them and us. Just a good day out for all. I am more offended by tax evasion by individuals and companies and the subsequent loss to the country's coffers...now that does affect us all.