Ed Whitaker's favourite pictures in 35 years of photographing Royal Ascot

I always wanted to be a newspaper photographer. My family were in newspaper journalism – my dad, James Whitaker, was royal correspondent for the Daily Mirror – and with the Racing Post having just started up when I finished my NCTJ photo-journalism course at Sheffield, it seemed a natural fit for me when I was offered a job as junior photographer at the Post in April 1987 by Graham Rock.

I'd go to the Derby as a kid and would go to Royal Ascot one day a year with my dad, but although I liked the odd bet, I wouldn't say I was mad keen. What really interested me was the world of racing, the characters, so I became an observer of the sport and the longer I did it, the more I got to understand it and the more of a challenge it was. It's still a challenge now, and as technology changes, there are always ways to improve, which means I've never got bored of it.

Even now, every race meeting I go to, there's always something slightly different to the last time, and Royal Ascot is the epitome of that, utterly unique. There are the great horses, of course, but the fashion, the celebrity, the colour and the pageantry all go into making it the best meeting of them all, and one I've never grown tired of.

Back in the day, before computers became a part of newspaper life, if I was working at Ascot, I'd work up to the big race, then drive my film to the lab in Cobham, wait for it to be developed, choose the pictures I wanted printed, wait for them to be printed, and then I'd drive them to the office, which luckily wasn't too far away in Raynes Park, by about six o'clock. All that seems a long time ago!

Everything was analogue back then, with no auto-focus or auto-exposure, and I had 13 years of that before we all went digital. You couldn't make mistakes, you had to get it right first time, so it was a great way to learn, but even with all the technology, with the ability to review what you're shooting and to control the situation, you can still spot who knows how to take a picture and who doesn't. The old rules still apply.

Here are some of the most memorable days of my 35 years of going to Royal Ascot, all of which you can buy at racingpost.com/photos.

Faberge egg, 2010

A stunning example of the fashion that makes Royal Ascot so uniqueCredit: Edward Whitaker

Royal Ascot is the most prestigious event in the racing calendar and the one where women most like to dress up and be seen, so it's lovely to have the option to photograph that side of it as well as the racing. I think anybody who can't see that is being narrow-minded, because it's the combination of the two that makes it such a unique event, admired all over the world. I think this is my favourite hat of any I've seen. The shot is all about light and shade; the sparkle of the 'diamond eggs' in their 'nest', with the feathers backlit by the sun against a dark background. You don't even need to see the woman's face to appreciate the beauty of it.

Limo car park, 2006

A field of stretch limousines in 2006Credit: Edward Whitaker

Ascot invited me up in a helicopter to photograph Ladies' Day in the first year of the new grandstand, and while I was doing the usual shots, I noticed this field of stretch limousines. It was not long before the financial crisis hit, and the scene seemed to exude excess, flashiness and people throwing money around, which seemed to sum up the mood of the times.

New royal procession

The royal procession arrives on Ladies' Day in 2018Credit: Edward Whitaker

It's Ladies' Day in 2018, the landaus swing into the parade ring on a glorious afternoon with pink flowers in the foreground and puffy white clouds in the sky, the striking colours encapsulating the idea there's no better place to be than England when the weather's fine. This is in front of the new grandstand but the scene dates back to the first procession in 1825 and the tradition is still unmistakable.

Black Caviar lady, 2012

A Black Caviar fan provides a racing shot and a fashion shot all in oneCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ascot became very good at attracting the top horses from overseas and hit the jackpot by persuading Black Caviar to come over for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in 2012. There were thousands of fans there just to see this one horse, and this woman joined a huge crowd of them in dressing in the peach and black colours of the owners' silks. It's a fashion shot and a racing shot in one, and less self-conscious than a lot of the haute couture pictures, but still looks great.

Black Caviar, 2012

Black Caviar edges home in a remarkable Diamond Jubilee Stakes in 2012Credit: Edward Whitaker

There was such a buzz, with Black Caviar flags being handed out everywhere, and when the race arrived I've never heard such noise at the meeting – it was more like a football match. The jockey Luke Nolen almost made a mess of it by easing up too far from the line, but the horse showed her class by picking up again to win when he realised his mistake, and this shot shows the final strides, with the whips flying in behind as this great story reaches its climax.

Nic Fiddian-Green, 2013

Sculptor Nic Fiddian-Green with his 2013 masterpieceCredit: Edward Whitaker

The famous sculptor was at the course on the Monday – when I usually go to get a few preparation pictures – and I bumped into him setting up his 'Mighty' Horse. He was happy to be photographed putting the finishing touches to the work with a welding torch and the overall impression is of a gigantic head suspended in mid-air, looking as though it might float away if he didn't hold on to it.

Escalator, 2007

An escalator in the new grandstand in 2007 shows the possibilities of meeting people in a crowdCredit: Edward Whitaker

I was very excited by the new grandstand and even though it got a lot of flak, I thought it was a real piece of architectural brilliance. My vision was to combine the modern design with the romance of the meeting, so I waited for the shot of a woman and a man passing on the escalators, looking as though they were coming towards each other for a romantic liaison. I'm sure they didn't know each other at all, but it was all about the possibilities of meeting people in a crowd.

Old procession, 2003

The 2003 royal procession is a reminder the old grandstand wasn't all it was cracked up to beCredit: Edward Whitaker

The carriages have come to the end of the procession and are swinging off the racecourse towards the royal box, and I think it's interesting to have a picture showing that the old grandstand in the background wasn't quite as special as some people liked to make out when it was replaced. It's a real 1960s building [opened in 1961] that wasn't fit for the 21st century.

Yeats, 2008

Johnny Murtagh after winning the 2008 Gold Cup on YeatsCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Gold Cup is the greatest race of them all and this is Johnny Murtagh, wearing the leading jockey's armband and soaking up the glory of Yeats's third win, clearly understanding just what a wonderful horse he was riding and what the success meant to everybody.

Smiling Queen, 2009

The Queen thoroughly enjoying herself at Ascot in 2009Credit: Edward Whitaker

Excuse me for picking a few pictures of the Queen, but it is her party, after all, and she has made the meeting what it is today. I love this one because it looks like she's smiling at me – obviously she's not, but that's fine! She looks so content with everything and the Duke of Edinburgh is clearly enjoying himself as well. It simply shows what a great day out Royal Ascot can be, whoever you are.

Royal Hunt Cup, 2019

The finish of the 2019 Royal Hunt Cup pictured from the roof of the grandstandCredit: Edward Whitaker

My favourite position for taking photos in the new grandstand is up in the roof, where the TV cameras are sited. With races on the straight course, you get a frame full of horses and action, like this shot of Afaak and Jim Crowley winning the 2019 Royal Hunt Cup by a short head from Clon Coulis and Jamie Spencer.

Covid pandemic, 2020

Frankie Dettori with a flying dismount to nobody after winning on Frankly Darling during the Covid-hit 2020 meetingCredit: Edward Whitaker

Racing was one of the first sports to get back up and running after the Covid pandemic had done its worst, and just 16 days after racing had restarted, Frankie won the Ribblesdale on Frankly Darling and came back into the winner's enclosure to be greeted by a tiny handful of people, all wearing masks in place of the usual morning dress. This was Frankie, though, and instinct told him that the show must go on, so he performed his customary flying dismount – to nobody, really. It was a strange but interesting week, a unique piece of Ascot history, and I felt privileged to have such a priceless ticket.

Crystal Ocean, 2019

Crystal Ocean wins the 2019 Prince of Wales's StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

It's 2019, Crystal Ocean has won the Prince of Wales's Stakes in torrential rain, and Frankie is very obviously emotional. It was the race that gave Sir Michael Stoute his record 80th success, and although Frankie was landing his 62nd winner at the meeting, it seemed to mean every bit as much as the first.

Presidents men, 2019

A motley crew pictured amond the infield hospitality tentsCredit: Edward Whitaker

On the infield there are hospitality tents where you'll see all sorts of sights. This bunch had decided to wear masks of some somewhat divisive politicians. It's a bit of fun and the kind of picture you stumble across from time to time if you put in the leg work, for better or for worse!

Frankel, 2011

Frankel poses for pictures after winning the 2011 St James's Palace StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Frankel won twice at the meeting, in the Queen Anne as a four-year-old, but before that the St James's Palace Stakes in 2011. It was the race he almost got beaten in – by Zoffany – but he held on by three-quarters of a length and the scenes afterwards were priceless. All these great horses love to pose for pictures; they know they're special, they know they're the best and they adore being adored.

Estimate, 2013

The Queen greets Estimate after winning the Gold Cup in 2013Credit: Edward Whitaker

It's the Queen again, but this time not as the centre of all the pomp and pageantry, but as a proud owner and, above all, a horse lover. She's just seen her own Estimate win the 2013 Gold Cup, but while all the pandemonium is going on around her, all she wants to do is go over and put her hand on the mare's head and enjoy a very personal moment. For her, it's all about the horses, and that's what shines through.

To buy these and many more great pictures, go to racingpost.com/photos

Head over to our dedicated Royal Ascot 2022 site for the latest tips and odds for every race at the festival. Our leading horseracing tipsters share their Royal Ascot tips and predictions and it's completely free!