Mike Tindall reveals reality of attending Royal Ascot with royal family: 'It's a nightmare'

Mike often attends the racing event each year
Rebecca Carter

Mike Tindall has revealed the true reality to attending Royal Ascot each year.

Royal Ascot is a staple in the royal calendar. This year’s horse racing event will be held from June 16 to June 20.

Regular royal attendees include King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Mike and Zara Tindall.

Now, Mike has opened up about the event and revealed one aspect that can be a nightmare…

Mike and Zara Tindall in carriage at Royal Ascot
Mike and Zara in the carriage procession at Ascot (Credit: Zak Hussein)

Mike Tindall talks Royal Ascot ‘nightmare’

In a recent episode of The Luxury Dispatch with Tom Chamberlin podcast, Mike was asked about the event.

He said: “If it’s too hot, it’s a bit of a nightmare. The sweat is ongoing. Don’t take the hat off, or it’s like, a pool of water drops out.”

There’s a dress code for Royal Ascot, including top hats for men heading to the Royal Enclosure, where royals watch the races.

Mike added: “That British history, that is the history we are trying to continue. The Royal Procession down the course. It’s still a standalone feature of what happens at Royal Ascot.”

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Royal Ascot procession

Speaking about the royal family arriving by carriage for the ceremonial procession, Mike explained what happens.

Mike participated in the procession alongside his wife Zara at last year’s event.

He said: “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. It’s about a 20-minute carriage ride from start to finish.

“You turn on to the track down the middle of the course, and the anthem starts. It’s quite special.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot
The king and queen attending Royal Ascot last year (Credit: David Betteridge Splash News)

Royal Ascot dress code

The royal family adheres to the event’s strict dress code, even in a British heatwave.

At last year’s event in late June, a heatwave had gripped the UK. But King Charles remained immaculately dressed in his traditional morning suit.

Don’t take the hat off, or it’s like, a pool of water drops out.

According to his former butler, there’s a very specific reason why he won’t be making any changes to his formal look despite the hot weather.

Read more: Mike Tindall makes major swipe at Prince Harry and seemingly confirms they are no longer close

Speaking exclusively to BoyleSports, Grant Harrold said: “The rules on the dress code are Ascot’s, not the king’s. If the king took his hat or his jacket, what would they do? I guarantee you, Ascot are not going to ban him, because Royal Ascot needs the royals.

“But the king won’t remove his jacket. This is the double-edged sword. He follows rules and traditions, and protocols literally by the book.”

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