The King and Queen have visited Royal Ascot to witness the installation of 1,200 solar panels on the grandstand’s roof, a move the racecourse described as “another important step in the racecourse’s sustainability journey”.
Royal presence and engagement
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended multiple days of the 2024 meeting, which ran from 18 to 22 June, often leading the traditional Royal Procession in horse-drawn carriages. Their Majesties have taken on the late Queen’s stable of horses and entered several of their own thoroughbreds, expressing their wish for a “thrilling week of action”. Their horse Desert Hero secured the couple’s first Royal Ascot win in 2023. Other members of the Royal Family present included Princess Anne, Prince William, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh, Zara and Mike Tindall, and Lady Gabriella Kingston. Queen Camilla’s fashion choices attracted widespread comment, with outfits including a royal blue dress and Prince Albert diamond and sapphire brooch on the first day, and a white ensemble on Ladies’ Day featuring Queen Elizabeth II’s Jardine Star Brooch. The King, known for his long-standing support of measures tackling climate change, highlighted the solar panel installation as a key achievement during the visit.
Solar panel installation and its significance
The 1,200 solar panels, installed on the grandstand’s roof since last June, form a central component of Ascot Racecourse’s environmental strategy. The initiative is part of the venue’s “Racing to Zero” programme, which aims to achieve Net Zero by 2040. The racecourse already uses 100% renewable energy and has deployed a “Smartflower” solar power unit. The scale of the roof-mounted array marks a substantial expansion of on-site renewable generation, reducing reliance on grid electricity and cutting operational carbon emissions. Ascot Racecourse has become the first racecourse globally to be awarded EcoSmart accreditation in recognition of its sustainability achievements. The King’s personal advocacy for climate action gives the installation added symbolic weight, reinforcing the link between the monarchy and environmental leadership.
The broader sustainability journey
The solar panels are one element of a comprehensive sustainability overhaul. The racecourse has banned single-use plastics, introduced a “re-cup” system for reusable drinks vessels, and operates closed-loop recycling with a goal of zero waste to landfill. In catering, a partnership with Full Circle Farms supports regenerative farming, with plant-based menus and hyper-local, seasonal ingredients prepared by Michelin-starred chefs. Electric waste collection vehicles, powered by energy recovered from waste, have been deployed. Biodiversity projects include beehives, nest cups for birds, and tree planting. Beyond its environmental work, Ascot Racecourse contributes an estimated £264.5 million annually to the UK economy, supporting 3,903 full-time equivalent jobs, according to a report by the University of Reading and New Horizon Economics. The five days of Royal Ascot alone generate around £140 million in Gross Value Added and sustain 1,930 jobs. The event attracted more than 6,200 overseas visitors from 76 countries in 2024, contributing nearly £50 million in spending, with a broadcast reach of 580 million households globally. The “Ascot Racecourse Supports” charitable programme reaches more than 7,000 beneficiaries each year, generating over £700,000 in social value. The racecourse also reported record revenues in 2024, with turnover rising to £113.1 million and pre-tax profits of £8.4 million. Founded by Queen Anne in 1711, Royal Ascot remains a fixture of British heritage, with the Royal Procession dating back to 1825. This year’s event saw celebrities including Nick Knowles, Charlotte Hawkins, and Ola Jordan join the crowds, while fashion trends featured polka dots, monochrome, navy, and white, with hats and fascinators mandatory in the Royal Enclosure. The weather remained warm, sunny, and mostly dry throughout the week. Among the seven daily races, Group 1 contests such as the Queen Anne Stakes, King Charles III Stakes, St James’s Palace Stakes, Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and the Gold Cup drew keen betting interest, with analysts examining horses’ recent form and past performance.
