Royal Ascot 2020 (Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th June) will take place behind closed doors for the first time in the event’s history.
However, racegoers will still be able to enjoy the racing action on TV and participate in what is traditionally recognised as ‘the’ fashion event of the season.
Ascot is inviting fans across the globe to dress up as part of the racecourse’s wider ‘Royal Ascot At Home’ campaign, and wear a hat – whether it is a ladies’ hat or a men’s top hat, panama, trilby or other racing hat – before sharing a photo on social media using the campaign hashtags #StyledWithThanks and #RoyalAscot. Participants are being encouraged to donate £5 to the campaign fundraising page, share their outfit photo and tell their friends to do the same, helping to spread the #StyledWithThanks message in recognition of those working on the frontline of the global Covid-19 crisis.
Prizes will be given for the most Elegant, Original and Uplifting outfits across the week with a panel of expert industry judges selecting the winners. Additionally, photos posted using the campaign hashtags will be turned into a giant rainbow mosaic image tribute which will become a permanent installation at Ascot Racecourse.
To launch its #StyledWithThanks charity appeal, Ascot has donated £100,000 to be split between four frontline charities: The National Emergencies Trust Relief Fund, NHS Charities Together, The Care Workers Charity and the Berkshire Community Foundation Coronavirus Fund.
Ascot in partnership with the British Hat Guild has also invited British milliners to design and create a hat following a rainbow theme, in line with the nation’s adoption of the rainbow image. The designs will be auctioned online during Royal Ascot with all money raised being added to the fund:
To inspire racers at home when planning their #StyledWithThanks outfits, Ascot has partnered with several key British designers who have created illustrations of their dream Royal Ascot outfits again with a rainbow theme:
Ascot also worked with young artist Claire Luxton, who has created two images inspired by Ascot and the #StyledWithThanks initiative:
There will be a dedicated Royal Ascot At Home hub on the Ascot website with all relevant information such as how to download virtual race programmes, recipe cards, quizzes, activity packs, archive video and imagery, and much more to keep everyone entertained across the week.
