Mike Tindall has offered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into
one of the most recognisable traditions of the royal calendar,
revealing that Royal Ascot’s famous carriage procession can quickly
become “a nightmare” in hot weather.
The former England rugby star, who is married to Zara Tindall,
lifted the lid on the elaborate routine behind the daily spectacle
at the Berkshire race meeting during an appearance on The
Luxury Dispatch with Tom Chamberlin.
Royal Ascot, founded in 1711 by Queen Anne, remains one of the
biggest social and sporting occasions in the British calendar, with
the Royal Procession still serving as its defining ceremonial
centrepiece.
Speaking from Ascot Racecourse ahead of this year’s meeting,
Tindall described the experience of taking part in the procession
alongside senior royals including King Charles III and Queen
Camilla.
“If it’s too hot, it’s a bit of a nightmare,” he joked. “The
sweat is ongoing. Don’t take the hat off, or it’s like a pool of
water drops out.”
The event’s famously strict dress code requires men in the Royal
Enclosure to wear top hats and morning dress, even during periods
of intense summer heat.
Despite the discomfort, Tindall said the tradition remains one
of the most special experiences connected to the royal family’s
support of racing.
“That British history, that is the history we are trying to
continue,” he said. “The Royal Procession down the course. It’s
still a standalone feature of what happens at Royal Ascot.”
The procession itself has changed little since its formal
introduction in 1825. Each afternoon, members of the royal family
travel in horse-drawn landaus through Windsor Great Park before
arriving along the straight mile at Ascot Racecourse to the sound
of the national anthem.
Tindall explained that participants are first transported in
historic state cars before boarding the carriages for the final
stretch of the journey.
“You jump in cars, the fleet of cars they use are very old,
historical, good old-fashioned sort of cars, state cars, and they
take you to the edge of the Great Park,” he said.
“It’s about a 20-minute carriage ride from start to finish.”
One of the moments he enjoys most comes before the procession
reaches the racecourse itself, when local schoolchildren gather
waving Union flags as the carriages pass through the park.
“They always let the children out and wave their British flags,”
he said, before describing the atmosphere as the royal party
finally enters the track.
“You turn on to the track down the middle of the course, and the
anthem starts – it’s quite special.”
Tindall and his wife have become regular fixtures at Royal Ascot
in recent years, frequently attracting attention for their
appearances in the Royal Enclosure and their close relationship
with senior royals.
This year’s Royal Ascot meeting runs from 16 to 20 June and is
expected to feature strong attendance from members of the royal
family throughout the week.