No royals, no popping corks and jockeys changing in the restaurant

With a storied history stretching back to the 18th century, there is little Royal Ascot has not been witness to. Yet the circumstances to which the modern world is having to adapt have led to a five-day royal meeting like no other.

It may be Royal Ascot by name but there will be very little about its nature that represents the quintessentially British occasion where the casual racefan can almost rub shoulders with royalty while both feast on the sight of the finest thoroughbreds in the world thundering along the rail.

In fact there will be no rubbing shoulders with anyone away from the turf as the meeting will be the highest-profile event staged behind closed doors since sport in Britain resumed on June 1.