THE Royal Family will be guarded by an armed police presence and drones as part of a massive security operation at Ascot.
It looks unlikely The Queen, 96, will attend any of the five days after she missed the Epsom Derby on her Platinum Jubilee weekend.
There will be a huge police presence at Royal Ascot, with drones also being used to ensure the safety of the Royal family and racegoers
It remains to be seen whether The Queen will attend Royal Ascot after she skipped the Epsom Derby on her Platinum Jubilee weekend
Her Majesty arrived at the Berkshire racecourse for the final day’s racing only last year.
She met up with Frankie Dettori after he finished second on her horse Reach For The Moon in the first race.
Princess Anne, 71, deputised for Her Majesty at Epsom and was at Ascot last year so could fulfill royal duties again next week.
Prince Charles, 73, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, 74, along with 58-year-old Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, were also at Ascot last year.
Some 250,000 racegoers are expected to attend racing’s poshest meeting and police have put together a massive plan to ensure safety.
The meeting was hit by protesters who ran onto the track just yards from The Queen last year.
And further demonstrations delayed the start of last weekend’s Epsom Derby.
Thames Police tactical commander Superintendent Rory Freeman said: “With the attendance of the Royal family alongside the many racegoers, our planning with Ascot Racecourse Limited to ensure the safety of all those attending has been extensive, carefully considered and underway for some time.
“If you plan to be in Ascot during the event period, you will see many of our officers from a number of teams including mounted, firearms and roads policing as well as many out patrolling on foot.
“Many of our security measures will not be as obvious such as our drone unit who will be keeping a watchful eye over proceedings but please be reassured that all of our officers and additional measures are in place to keep you safe.
“Whilst we have many officers in the area, you will always have a unique perspective from what you can see and hear first hand.
“I encourage you to call out inappropriate behaviour of friends against women and girls and report it.
“Please remain vigilant for anything that seems suspicious.
“If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t so please tell an officer or a member of racecourse staff so that we can look into it.”
Royal Ascot, which is limiting the number of racegoers this year in a bid to make it a more enjoyable experience, has been blighted by brawls in recent years.
One half-naked man and several women scrapped on Ladies Day in 2017, while onlookers ran for cover a year later when another fight broke out.
In 2019 a man was shown knocked out on the floor after yet another mass melee erupted among punters.
A huge police presence including armed officers will greet Royal Ascot racegoers
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