Royal Ascot.

Why isn’t Aintree being criticised where there is just as much money spent on fashion and hospitality?

Is that because it’s the Chav’s version of Ascot? 😂

I just think of the hundreds of thousands of people in Britain today who are so hard up they can hardly feed their families seeing the spectacle of Ascot.

And does it occur to you they are watching the spectacle of Ascot at home, because they are not at work, and on a large television supplied with several expensive subscription channels?
Evidence from CAB volunteering, struggling to help people sort out their debts; TV regarded as an absolute essential expense, non-negotiable.

No one can possibly know anything about the people who go to such events, they could possibly contribute to all sorts of charities, I think it's people's prerogative to spend their money on what could be deemed the utterly frivolous. I lived up on Epsom Downs in my growing up years so was well aware of the amount of money spent on hosting the Derby, in my town's case it generated loads of revenue, spectators came from far and wide. There was always a heaving throng that descended on our area, equally the turnout to try and spot the Royal cavalcade passing through the town was immense, it was felt a big deal that The Queen was there for such an occasion. The Royal Family have never really bothered me, we don't live in feudal times, they're just figureheads, on the whole I think they're good ambassadors for our country. Whilst their lives are privileged in some respects, they pay a price they have massive restrictions placed on them, and everything they do is put under immense scrutiny, who would want that?

I can't say the sort of event such as Ascot ever appealed much to me, maybe because it was on my doorstep for a long time, but horses for courses and all that, pardon the pun! Money needs to be spent every which way for the sake of the economy and clearly it is on these occasions. I must admit to my own prejudices regarding new phenomena that to me appear ridiculous waste of money, extravagant hen dos, proms, over the top weddings, the price people pay for the concert tickets of top acts. I went to a few in my time, the cost didn't seem so disproportionate to earnings, the outlay these days, to me seems shocking! but it's a free country, and as others have pointed out we need to spend, spend, spend for the sake of the country's economic health. I'm not so confident that my own spending on say travel were it to be analysed, it wouldn't be deemed profligate, it has been in the past, far less so now, more local destinations.

I'm not sure I'd make a correlation between people dressed up to the nines to attend Ascot and food banks. To me they are distinct from each other. Of course we need to look after the poorest in our society. Although I think there have been events that I regard fly in the face of the spurious reasons they are held for, talking about climate change at Davos for example, when umpteen gas guzzling jets fly in or discussing food poverty by grandstanding billionaires who probably don't contribute enough through their own taxes. I get more annoyed with all of that quite honestly than events such as Ascot and Wimbledon.

I'm totally against RA for the way the horses are treated. Harry's Girl is another death recently, the poor babe had a broken/damaged leg.

''Animal Aid are horrified that another innocent animal, Harry's Girl, only two years old, was killed at Royal Ascott today. Her name joins more than 3,000 before her who have been killed due to racing on British racecourses since 2007. For everyone who still believes the disturbing fantasy that Ascott is glamourous, stylish or impressive, let this be a turning point. Champagne and expensive clothing cannot disguise the ugly truth: horse racing is animal abuse. No animal should suffer for sport''. Iain Green, Director. Animal Aid.

Some breeds of horses were born to run, not run to death. Same with the ''Grand'' National. Another 88 since 1839 with countless other injuries at both RA and GN. I personally couldn't give a hoot about the jockeys and punters etc. it's all those poor innocent horses tortured to death I feel very sorry for.

Not Spaghetti. Tax on alcohol comprises excise duty based on ABV plus 20% VAT. You have forgotten the VAT and other taxes. The more expensive the wine the more VAT is charged.

The seller’s profit will attract business taxes at say 25% for the standard rate of Corporation Tax.

My numbers were based on a rough average of the price being charged at this year’s Royal Ascot. According to one news report:

The cheapest bottle of champagne,Moet and Chandon Brut Imperial. is priced at £210, for a 1.5 litre bottle.

The most expensive price for a bottle of bubbly is £560 for a 1.5 litre Cuvee Dom Perignon Blanc.

Other sky-high prices include a £250 Moet and Chandon Rose Imperial.

Obviously, the seller’s margin at RA is very high.

If you spend £8 on a 12.5% ABV bottle of wine from your your local supermarket, £4 of that is excise duty (£2.67) and VAT £1.33). Only £1.56 is money for the actual wine itself. The rest is logistics, packaging and profit for the seller all of which will yield taxes.

I am with you Blondie this is hereditary privilege and conspicuous wealth on parade. Not just hereditary privilege also flaunting of wealth. I know some of these people came from nothing but why is the measure of a successful life for so many people in the UK how much cash you have to splash on silly hats and champagne.

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.

I refuse to accept that this is some kind of natural order because as long as we have this mindset there will be an unacceptable gap between the haves and the have nots.

I don’t read your post as envy usedtobeblond. I don’t share the sentiments that because there has always been great wealth and poverty we should simply accept that and move on. The gap between rich and poor is widening, which doesn’t create a healthy society.
Royal Ascot and Wimbledon showcase the royal family but they’re no longer the preserve of the very rich.
It’s true that sport, including football, tennis, horse racing, cricket and more create employment which benefits all of us. Sport in its various forms raises huge amounts for charities. And yes, our fashion industry contributes. I’m live n let live on this.

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.

Quote NotAGran55 Fri 20-Jun-25 07:58:03
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

And a member of The Kings family attends every year , shocking

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 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!

I have been to Ascot and other race meetings, I enjoy watching Ascot.

I know there are people struggling, I also know that some of those will be putting their money on horses down the local bookmakers instead of towards their own families.

I cannot police the situation, all I can do is live my life in a way not to hurt others and to help those less fortunate while I can.

Why are the RF cosying up with the Saudis?

Still they have had dubious tastes in friends over the years.

Quote escaped Fri 20-Jun-25 06:11:25
I guess on the surface Ascot looks frivolous and extravagant, but like others have said it isn't money frittered on nothing because it benefits the economy. The ladies' dresses and hats are mainly British labels, I believe, like ME+EM.
I don't think you're coming from envy. At least you're not being personal about anyone, just finding the set up puzzling. I guess anywhere the monarchy turns up in numbers, all in their finery, makes the divide between them and us seem all the greater.

‘Anywhere the monarchy turns up’ is personal

Should we all cease spending because some people are poorer than others? Not go out, go on holiday, buy nice clothes for special occasions?
Well said, Allira.
If you have money, it's up to you how you enjoy it.

I guess on the surface Ascot looks frivolous and extravagant, but like others have said it isn't money frittered on nothing because it benefits the economy. The ladies' dresses and hats are mainly British labels, I believe, like ME+EM.
I don't think you're coming from envy. At least you're not being personal about anyone, just finding the set up puzzling. I guess anywhere the monarchy turns up in numbers, all in their finery, makes the divide between them and us seem all the greater.

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.

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?

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.
👒

Jaxjacky

Ascot itself donates hundreds of thousands every year to both local and other charities. One race today (the Britannia Stakes) and every year since 2019, has in those last 6 years donated over 6 million to various charities including Prostate Cancer and Missing People.
I know it looks and is very extravagant utbb but others do benefit as well.

Not to mention the number of jobs involved, all those people paying tax too.

Should we all cease spending because some people are poorer than others? Not go out, go on holiday, buy nice clothes for special occasions? That would bring the economy to a grinding halt.
A healthy economy benefits everyone. Those who can afford to help others less fortunate.
Royal Family members support innumerable charities too.

Republicans do not seem to debate which system would be better, a monarchy or a presidential system, rather they just seem to present the argument that the Royal Family cost too much money.

I do understand that what you feel is not coming from envy.

How much more can I say I have no envy.
I just think of the hundreds of thousands of people in Britain today who are so hard up they can hardly feed their families seeing the spectacle of Ascot.
They aren’t concerned how much the fashion industry is helped or how much racing brings in , it is beyond anything they understand.
I am just trying to be understanding of how they feel.
I can see I am no longer able to get my point across, age has taken my ability to express myself more fluently.
I am just very happy my sympathy and empathy is still with me.

And some people spend large sums on festival tickets. So what? I have no wish to wear extravagant hats and go to Ascot but see no reason to begrudge others. I don’t think envy is very helpful.

Ascot is a truly international event with horses travelling over from America, Australia and France; I’m sure that, along with seeing all the beautiful horses and carriages, it’s good for tourism.Not that I go anywhere much these days, but I always used to think that racing was one of the few occasions where women could wear the expensive wedding outfits that we’ve all bought and never been able to wear again. I’m sure that there will be lots of wining and dining at Wimbledon next week.

Usedtobeblonde

This is a post I have never made before, perhaps never considered making but I have just gone on to my IPad to be regaled with photographs of the Royal Family , friends , race goers in the the most elaborate, extravagant fashions , not for one day but for the the third with one more day to go.
And families are using food banks to feed their children and themselves.
Just one hat would pay the WFA for several OAP’s for a year.
Multiply that by thousands of racegoers.
Equality lives and thrives in Britain today.

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