Brush with Royalty at Royal Ascot
For all the people that had doubts about the photo of myself and the Queen this is how it happen At Royal Ascot on Saturday 26 October QIPCO British Champions Day.
My wife and I attended the day of racing the question that everybody should be asking is how I got so close to the Queen with no identification I could have been anybody that's the question that should have been asked as it happened I got through the gate with the winning horse and into the presentation area.
When I sent the Photo back to Australia the word got out that it was photo shopped and that the queen was not wearing the coat that she had on, how they said that I don’t know I thought you poor imbeciles a for a start I would not know how to photo shop on an apple IPhone and I don’t arrange her Majesty’s wardrobe so cranky at the imbeciles I said to Janelle you do something up they might believe you I give up on them.
Yes it was experience I will never forget it.
The year before we attended Epson Derby day and I just got a glimpse of her Majesty that time.
Also for all royal followers the Princess Beatrice of York and her mates were also in attendance at Royal Ascot (see photo).
By Janelle Pola.
On Saturday, we went to Royal Ascot for the running of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes – the prize money made the Melbourne Cup look like pocket money as they are sponsored by a Saudi Arabian Racing Company. Jim and I dressed in our best race gear headed for the London Underground to catch the several trains to get us there. We had a few stares – quite funny looking back at it.
Royal Ascot racecourse is amazing in size – it backs on to the parklands of Windsor Castle, and there is approximately 5 levels to the main grandstand. We brought Premier tickets which gave us access to the best, viewing areas.
The parade ring is at the front of the grandstand and the horses and jockeys ride under the main grandstand to get to the track in between the races. They open a gate either side of the walkway to allow the public to walk through. After the running of the main race – the Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Jim and I were walking back to watch the presentation by the Queen and we had to walk through the walkway, but they closed the gate after Jim and I
was left out. Jim, never one to miss an opportunity, started walking towards the presentation area. They allow the owners and trainers in there. I settled for standing on a mound outside to get a look.
The press were armed with the 'mother of all camera lenses' snapping away at the Queen and her party and standing next to them is Jim armed with his iPhone (great ad for APPLE). I just shook my head. He befriended an Irish couple in the presentation ring whose horse ran third so he asked them to take his photo with the Queen in the background, which they did. Not happy with that Jim decides to move closer until the Scotland Yard minder says to Jim 'no further’. If the minder didn't kill him I was going to went he eventually came out of the presentation area! Anyway, the photo was amazing that he got and no this is fair dinkum I could not believe how accessible the
Queen was and even a couple of locals standing next to me said the same thing.
We took in two West End musicals back to back, THRILLER (Michael Jackson story) love or loath him, the music was superb and Let It Be (The Beatles story) which was out of this world. I’m not trying to sound like Molly Meldrum, but if you are ever in London or when they get to Oz go and see them.
Because we did two shows back to back and the theatres were a fair walk, Jim decided to ask a Rickshaw driver how to get to the second theatre (big mistake!!) Now imagine if you will, sitting in the back and a bicycle pedalling you on one of the busiest streets in London with a truck up our rear end and the Rickshaw driver turning right into oncoming traffic, which included a big red double-decker bus. I think I fell out of the back at our destination – m y legs went to jelly.
Enjoy the Photos
