The Queen is not expected to attend Royal Ascot but other members of the royal family are due to make their way to the Berkshire racecourse.
Her Majesty also sat out the Epsom Derby earlier this month but was expected to watch the major sporting event on television at Windsor Castle during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
She also missed the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral after experiencing “some discomfort”.
The monarch was a regular at Royal Ascot before the pandemic with racegoers hoping to see her in the royal box.
She is a passionate horse breeder and has a number of runners scheduled to be entered at Royal Ascot this week.
Punters dressed in outlandish hats, summer dresses and smart suits will cheer on the riders over the next five days at the Berkshire race course.
Royal Ascot was held behind closed doors in 2020, and last year racegoers were admitted after it was selected to take part in the Government’s Events Research Programme on behalf of the sport of racing.
Ascot Racecourse announced earlier in the year that visitor numbers would be reduced as part of its long-term ambition and following feedback from punters who attended the smaller scale Royal Ascot in 2021.
Capacity on each day will be reduced by 1,000 people in the Royal Enclosure, and for the Queen Anne and Windsor Enclosures cut by 4,150 and 2,000 respectively, with new facilities introduced.
The Queen is expected to miss Royal Ascot
Aaron Chown
Racegoers were hoping to see Her Majesty in the royal box
David Davies
