Has Football Fever Reached The Royals?

As World Cup fever grips the nation, bookies William Hill are betting that Her Majesty will ‘back our boys’ by sporting a Cross of St George at Royal Ascot this week.
With the England flag flying high in more places than ever this year, Hills are offering 100-1 that the ubiquitous car flag adorns one of the carriages of the Royal Procession on Ladies’ Day (Thursday) and 10-1 that Her Majesty wears the emblem somewhere on her Ladies’ Day outfit.
With the Derby at Epsom 10 days ago and the World Cup beginning, along with Royal Ascot and the start of Wimbledon next week, it is estimated that June could be a £1billion bonanza of betting for the bookies.
Hills have also opened their annual betting on the colour of the Queens Hat on Ladies’ Day, with blue the favourite at 4-1.
William Hill’s spokeswoman Jennie Prest said, “The Cross of St George is currently the ultimate accessory and what better way for the Royal family to show their support for England by sporting a car flag on their carriages!”
William Hill’s betting on the colour of the Queen’s Hat at Royal Ascot, Ladies’ Day Thursday 17th June: 4-1 Blue, 5-1 Purple, 6-1 Green, 6-1 Pink, 8-1 Peach/Apricot, 8-1 Yellow, 10-1 Cream / Beige, 12-1 Turquoise, 16-1 White, 16-1 Brown, 20-1 Orange, 20-1 Red, 20-1 Grey / Silver, 25-1 Black, other colours on request
1000-1: The Royal Procession receives a fanfare of vuvuzelas on entering the parade ring on Ladies’ Day.
100-1: One or more of the carriages in the Royal Procession at Royal Ascot on Thursday 17th June to be flying a plastic ‘car flag’
10-1: The Queen to have a Cross of St George somewhere visible on her Ladies’ Day outfit (including accessories such as hat, handbag and shoes)
-ENDS-
Royal Ascot Facts:
William Hill have been betting on the colour of the Queen’s Hat since 1973
Over the last few years, Her Majesty has worn the following coloured hats:
2009: White
2008: Blue
2007: Cream
2006: Green
2005: Brown
2004: White
2003: Blue
2002: Green
2001: Apricot
2002: Blue
The Queen has owned 20 winners at Royal Ascot, most recently Free Agent who won the Chesham Stakes in 2008.
• The first Royal Meeting was held at Ascot in 1768
• Royal Ascot has over 275,000 visitors during the 5 days of the meeting
• During the 5 day Royal meeting, the following quantities are expected to be consumed: 60,000 bottle of champagne
8,300 gallons of Pimms
16,000 gallons of beer
40,000 scones
1,500 lobsters
11,500 punnets of strawberries
(based on figures from Ascot’s website)
For further details:
Jennie Prest (William Hill Press Office) 07740 735464 or jprest@williamhill.co.uk