Royal Ascot novelty markets: Will Charles have any winners and what will Camilla wear?

Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the summer Flat racing season, kicks off on Tuesday.

The five-day meeting, which has enjoyed official royal patronage since 1911, dates back to 1711 when Queen Anne discovered a good spot for “horses to gallop at full stretch”.

Queen Elizabeth II was one of the most successful royal racehorse owners in British history, with a total of 24 winners at Royal Ascot over her 70-year reign.

Having inherited around 100 thoroughbreds from his mother, King Charles III claimed his first Royal Ascot victory in 2023 following his coronation the month before.

This year, he and Camilla have five different horses entered in races across the week.

Who are King Charles’ runners at Royal Ascot 2024?

Gilded Water

• 16/1 for King George V Stakes (Thursday 20 June, 15:05)
• 25/1 for Hampton Court Stakes (Thursday, 20 June, 17:40)

Treasure

• 25/1 for Ribblesdale Stakes (Thursday 20 June, 15:45)
• Won on debut but has finished fourth and 11^th in two outings this season

Crown Estate

• 25/1 for Britannia Stakes (Thursday 20 June, 17:05)
• Won on seasonal reappearance and finished third at Ascot last month

Hard To Resist

• 14/1 for Sandringham Stakes (Friday 21 June, 17:05)
• One victory from five races last season, yet to run this season

Desert Hero

• 14/1 for Hardwicke Stakes (Saturday 22 June, 15:05)
• Beat Valiant King to win the King George V Stakes in 2023

Odds on multiple royal winners:

King Charles to have:

• At least one winner: 5/2
• Two or more winners: 20/1
• Three or more winners: 200/1
• Four or more winners: 2500/1

What will the royals wear?

As well as their chances of getting in the winners’ enclosure, you can also have a flutter on the royal family’s attire, with odds offered on the colour of both the King’s tie and Queen’s hat on Tuesday.

Charles wore a silver tie on the first day of the meeting last year and opted for blue in 2022.

Camilla, meanwhile, sported a cream hat on the Tuesday of last year and appeared in white at Wimbledon last summer, but wore a blue hat on day one of 2022 and has been pictured in blue on at least five public appearances since last April.

Colour of King Charles’ tie on Tuesday:

• Pink: 6/4
• Blue: 2/1
• Silver: 4/1
• Grey: 5/1
• Purple: 6/1
• Red: 7/1
• Orange: 9/1
• Black: 12/1
• Yellow: 16/1
• White: 20/1

Colour of Queen Camilla’s hat on Tuesday:

• White/Cream: 8/11
• Pink/Peach: 7/2
• Blue/Navy: 5/1
• Yellow: 8/1
• Orange: 11/1
• Green: 14/1
• Black: 20/1
• Purple: 20/1
• Red: 20/1
• Grey: 25/1