finance
King Charles III and Queen Camilla Open Royal Ascot 2026 Featuring 35 Races and £19.4 Million Prize Fund
The British monarch and consort led the traditional carriage procession at Ascot Racecourse on June 16. The five-day meeting includes 35 races and a £19.4 million prize fund.
ForbesAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla opened the 2026 Royal Ascot meeting on June 16 at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England. They arrived by royal carriage accompanied by the 9th Duke of Wellington and the Duchess of Wellington. m.
Route around the course to the Royal Box. The 2026 meeting runs through Saturday, June 20, and features 35 races over five days, including eight Group 1 contests. 4 million, with $25 million allocated to premier flat races.
Forbes reported that approximately 300,000 racegoers attended the event. Mission Central, ridden by jockey Ryan Moore, won the King Charles III Stakes on opening day. Rayevka, ridden by jockey Mickael Barzalona, finished second.
The race is one of the eight Group 1 events on the card. Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling attended the Royal Box on day one. Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes were also present. The Duchess of Wellington joined the group in the Royal Box while the 9th Duke rode in the lead carriage with the king.
King George IV instituted the first Royal Ascot arrival procession in 1825. The meeting was established as a four-day event in 1768 and expanded to a full week by King George V in 1911.
