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Of course it's fashionable

But, apart from the outlandish costumes on Ladies Day, how much do you really know about Britain's premier event of the flat racing season. We've looked behind the scenes....

1. Divorcees. Not a topic you'd think would worry the equine world, but until 1955 divorcees were banned from the Royal enclosure. That would lock out half the Royal Family these days. Not such a bad idea after all, then.

2. The whole shebang moved to York for the 2005 royal meeting whilst rebuilding work went on back in Berkshire. Whether the many City boys and girls could face the trip north beyond the M25 is debatable but the event was still a success.

3. Frankie Dettori created Royal Ascot history when he rode all seven winners on the card on the Saturday of the Royal meeting in 1998. He followed that eight years later with six victories.

4. The Gold Cup is one of Ascot's most prestigious races, run over two miles and four furlongs and demanding great stamina from the horses. In the past 10 years two mounts, Royal Rebel and Kayf Tara, have proved their mettle by winning the race twice apiece.

5. Anyone who is anyone will be quaffing the bubbly whilst at Royal Ascot and racecourse bosses expect up to 170,000 bottles to be sunk over the five days. Probably to wash down the 11,000 lobsters who make a one-way trip to the meeting.

6. As with Wembley Stadium, the redevelopment of the racecourse was a multi-million pound effort. Unlike Wembley, the £200 million work was delivered on budget and on time. The 2012 Olympic bosses might like to take note.

7. Royal Ascot is the most valuable race meeting in Europe with £3.5 million in prize money on offer in 2006.

8. You can slum it at Royal Ascot, some tickets cost just a fiver. But, if you're heading for the Royal Enclosure be prepared to don some serious formalwear including that ultra-modern item, the top hat, while ladies be warned about showing any of that muffin roll - it'll get you thrown out.

9. Of course, getting into that starched shirt and morning suit is only half the battle for the Royal enclosure. You have to be invited into the hallowed portals by someone already on the list - and if you're a convicted criminal or bankrupt, you can forget it.

10. If you want to see the Royals but haven't managed to get hold of that Enclosure ticket, hang about in Windsor High Street every morning as the cavalcade makes its way to the course. Just don't tap Charlie for a ticket.

21st June 2007