Usually, during the third week of June, thousands of racegoers descend on the UK town of Ascot for the country’s most prestigious horse racing series.
But, as with most things in 2020, this year is a little different. Instead, Royal Ascot is hosting its first virtual races series, with audiences now having to watch the action from the comfort of their own homes, rather than trackside.
Not to be deterred from having the traditional race experience, however, many people are still dressing to the nines to enjoy the virtual races, and raise money in the process, too.
Royal Ascot has asked its digital attendees to don their race finery – hats, fascinators and all – as part of an Instagram campaign to raise money for a number of UK charities that help the country’s National Health Service in its continued fight against Covid-19.
Ascot kicked things off with a donation of £100,000 (Dh458,000), which will be split between The National Emergencies Trust Relief Fund, NHS Charities Together, The Care Workers Charity and the Berkshire Community Foundation.
Those wishing to share their race-day looks and donate to the campaign have been posting their outfits alongside the specially created hashtag #StyledWithThanks, and a number of UK influencers, including Louise Roe and Deborah Brett, have already taken part, as well as Zara and Mike Tindall.
“In this unique year, our thoughts are with those that have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and, of course, the NHS and key workers who are playing such a heroic role," Ascot Racecourse chief executive Guy Henderson said.
“We are marking this year’s Royal Meeting with our #StyledWithThanks initiative so that people can combine the enjoyment of participating in the event from their homes with their own thanks and contribution to the fundraising campaign.”
Prizes will be given for the most Elegant, Original and Uplifting outfits and a panel of judges will select the winners. The competition runs until Saturday, June 20.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Barcelona 2
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If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
