Royal Attractions

Royal Attractions

The Queen and the Royal Family attend approximately 400 functions a year, and if you want to know what they are doing on any given date, turn to the Court Circular, printed in the major London dailies, or check out the royal family Web site, www.royal.gov.uk, for the latest pictures and events. Trooping the Colour is usually held on the second Saturday in June, to celebrate the Queen's official birthday. This spectacular parade begins when she leaves Buckingham Palace in her carriage and rides down the Mall to arrive at Horse Guards Parade at 11 exactly. To watch, just line up along the Mall with your binoculars!

Another time you can catch the Queen in all her regalia is when she and the Duke of Edinburgh ride in state to Westminster to open the Houses of Parliament. The famous gilded coach, such an icon of fairy-tale glamour, parades from Buckingham Palace, escorted by the brilliantly uniformed Household Cavalry -- on a clear day, it's to be hoped, for this ceremony takes place in late October or early November, depending on the exigencies of Parliament.

But perhaps the most relaxed, least formal time to see the Queen is during Royal Ascot, held at the racetrack near Windsor Castle -- a short train ride out of London -- usually during the third week of June (Tuesday-Friday). After several races, the Queen invariably walks down to the paddock on a special path, greeting race goers as she proceeds. Americans wishing to reserve a seat in the Royal Enclosure should apply to the American Embassy (24 Grosvenor Sq., Mayfair, London, W1) before the end of March. But remember: you must be sponsored by two guests who have attended Ascot at least seven times before.