"""<p>The Queen is back at the races! The British monarch returned to her beloved <a href=""""https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/g10043681/royal-ascot-photos/"""" rel=""""nofollow noopener"""" target=""""_blank"""" data-ylk=""""slk:Royal Ascot horse race"""" class=""""link rapid-noclick-resp"""">Royal Ascot horse race</a> after the pandemic forced her to miss last year's event. Ascot is said to be the Queen's favourite event of the year, given her <a href=""""https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/g3319/queen-elizabeth-horse-photos/"""" rel=""""nofollow noopener"""" target=""""_blank"""" data-ylk=""""slk:lifelong love of horses"""" class=""""link rapid-noclick-resp"""">lifelong love of horses</a>. While this year's race looks a bit different—attendees are masked and had to receive COVID tests—<a href=""""https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/g36729576/royal-family-ascot-2021-photos/"""" rel=""""nofollow noopener"""" target=""""_blank"""" data-ylk=""""slk:the royals arrived in full force"""" class=""""link rapid-noclick-resp"""">the royals arrived in full force</a>. Unlike most years, the Queen did not attend the Ascot's opening day, as she had an in-person meeting with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. However, she certainly was not going to miss the event in its entirety, arriving on the final day of the event to watch the races. </p><p>This week holds special meaning to Queen Elizabeth, who has been patron of <a href=""""https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a21730403/royal-ascot-what-to-know/"""" rel=""""nofollow noopener"""" target=""""_blank"""" data-ylk=""""slk:Royal Ascot"""" class=""""link rapid-noclick-resp"""">Royal Ascot</a> since coming to the throne in 1952. In 2013, the Queen became the first ever reigning monarch to win the Royal Ascot Gold Cup with her horse, Estimate. As Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, <a href=""""https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a36729442/camilla-quote-queen-elizabeth-love-horse-racing/"""" rel=""""nofollow noopener"""" target=""""_blank"""" data-ylk=""""slk:recently told ITV's Racing presen"""
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