Queen Elizabeth misses Royal Ascot for first time in reign

thing has kept Queen Elizabeth II away from Royal Ascot horse racing meeting during her 68-year reign as U.K. monarch — t pregnancy, a speech to Parliament or even an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

But this year, 94-year-old queen will t be attending Royal Ascot, which starts Tuesday, because of coronavirus pandemic.

It is one of country's most high-profile horse racing events and one that effectively launches a great British summer of sport that also includes Wimbledon tennis and golf's Open Championship.

Unlike Wimbledon and Open, Royal Ascot has t been canceled as a result of coronavirus pandemic, though spectators will be absent. More than 300,000 guests, more often than t dressed in ir Sunday best, would have been expected to attend five-day meeting.

queen has been isolating at Windsor Castle, west of London, with her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, over past three months. It wouldn't have been much of a drive to get to Ascot— barely 20 minutes.

But in era of coronavirus, that's t possible, and racing-m monarch will have to make do with watching races on television.After all, she has several horses running over coming days, including First Receiver, ridden by Frankie Dettori in Queen’s racing colours, on Wednesday.

As an owner, queen will have access to a virtual Royal Ascot pare ring while viewing her horses from safety of Windsor Castle. She has won around 7 million pounds ($9 million) in prize money from horse racing in past three deces.

“Whilst ultimate experience of being at Royal Ascot sly isn’t possible this year, we hope that what we are planning will make ownership at home as special as possible," said Nick Smith, director of racing and public affairs at Ascot.

Ascot is also inviting fans across globe to dress up and wear Royal Ascot's ufficial tremark — a hat — and to share selfies on social media.