The Royal Month
Sporting and social highlight of the summer is Royal Ascot which takes place between 17 - 21 June. The Queen holds a house party at Windsor Castle during the week for friends and family and joins the racing each day, arriving in horse-drawn open carriage. For details see below. Royal birthdays include HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who will be a remarkably sprightly, if somewhat gruff, 82 this year; HRH Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, celebrating his 21st,(born June 21 1982); Birgitte Eva, HRH The Duchess of Gloucester (born June 20 1946); George Philip Nicholas Windsor, Earl of St Andrews (born June 26 1962). The Duke of Edinburgh's birthday is marked by a Royal Salute of guns in Hyde Park and at the Tower of London. Prince William is giving a celebration bash at Windsor Castle.
June Pageantry
Date: 16 June, 2002, (Monday of Royal Ascot Week).
Venue: St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Windsor.
What it is: Investiture of knighthood into England's most ancient and chivalrous Order of the Garter takes place at St. George's Chapel, a Royal Peculiar and the Chapel of the Order, which was constituted in 1348 by King Edward III. Arrayed in their midnight-blue robes emblazoned with the Star of the Order and plumed hats, the Queen and her knights process through Windsor Castle to St George's Chapel for the investiture service of thanksgiving. The procession is preceded by a detachment of red-coated silver-helmeted Life Guards and the route to the entrance of St.George's Chapel is lined by the Queen's Yeomen of the Guard dressed in their vermilion and gold Tudor uniforms. Investiture and Chapel service are private but visitors are able to line the route within the castle on allocation of a ticket. Early arrivers gain the best vantage points.
Further Information: See the Royal Family's website below for background information.
Website: www.royal.gov.uk
Getting there: Trains from London Paddington to Windsor Town Centre station, adjacent to Windsor Castle (50 minutes). The London Waterloo-Windsor Riverside train arrives close by (40 minutes). By road, the location is between Junctions 5 and 6 of the M4.
Tickets: Ticket applications accompanied by SAE or International Reply Coupon should be addressed to: Lord Chamberlain's Office, St James' Palace, London SW1A 1BE. The envelope should be marked "Garter Ceremony" and arrive not later than the end of January. Successful applicants will be notified.
