Royal Ascot

From 1711 to the Year of Grace, the Ascot races have marked the end of 214 social seasons. Last week, the King and Queen, the Duke and Duchess of York, Prince Henry, Princess Mary and her husband, Viscount Lascelles; Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught, Lady Patricia Ramsay (former Princess "Pat"), the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe, onetime (1908-10) King Manoel of Portugal and his consort drove in semi-state from Windsor Castle to the race course. Down the turf, cheers thundering on either side, the royal party were driven in open carriages with postillions and outriders in scarlet and gold to the royal enclosure.

Never since the War had such immense crowds been seen at Ascot. Everybody of any importance seemed to be present, from the Aga Khan to Solly Joel (wealthy sportsman and diamond mine owner), Lord Derby to Actor Leslie Hanson. Numerous Americans were there, and many of those presented at Court were enjoying the excited chatter and tinkling of teacups in the royal enclosure. Some occupied their time writing postcards to friends at home.

On the first day, the King's horse Aloysia won the Queen Mary's Stakes. The Coronation Stakes were captured by Lord Astor's Saucy Sue and the all-important Ascot Gold Cup with a money prize of $20,000 was carried off by Andrew Barclay Walker's Santorh, ridden by that most famed of British jockeys, Steve Donoghue, six times a winner of the Derby.

The fashionables noted the 22nd day of faultless weather, noted also an unusually large number of straw hats which had hitherto been regarded as an "indication of vulgar habits of life."