Amid the colour and ceremony of Royal Ascot, few figures are more distinctive or steeped in tradition than the Greencoats. Dressed in their rich, forest-green uniforms with gleaming brass buttons and white breeches, they are a familiar and reassuring sight on the lawns, at the gates, and flanking the royal procession. But who are these quietly authoritative guards, and how did they come to symbolise the ceremonial heart of racing at Royal Ascot?

The origins of the Greencoats trace back to the early 18th century and the very foundations of Ascot Racecourse itself. Queen Anne, credited with founding Royal Ascot in 1711, set in motion not just a racing institution but an enduring framework of royal patronage and pageantry. The Greencoats were initially appointed as the monarch’s personal guards at the Royal Meeting. They were tasked with overseeing order, security, and dignity.

Though their roles today are largely ceremonial, the Greencoats were once more akin to the military, reflecting a time when the monarch’s presence required visible protection. Their authority was absolute within the grounds, and even now, there is a quiet deference shown to their presence. Traditionally drawn from military backgrounds or positions of trust, they have long represented loyalty, discretion, and discipline.

Their striking uniforms are perhaps their most recognisable feature. The deep green wool from which the coats are tailored is said to have originally come from unused curtains at Windsor Castle, hence the often-repeated story that the Greencoats wear “the Queen’s old curtains.” While this may exaggerate the case, there’s no doubt that early versions of the uniform did repurpose fine materials from royal stores.

The coats themselves are single-breasted and adorned with a dozen brass buttons, each stamped with the royal cipher. The cuffs and collars are faced in velvet, and worn with white breeches, black boots, and often a bicorne hat—though in more recent years, a simpler peaked cap is also seen. While they do not parade as military units might, there’s an unmistakable martial discipline in their stillness and bearing.

Greencoats perform a wide variety of duties during Royal Ascot. They are the ceremonial guardians of the royal enclosures, assisting guests with directions, managing crowds with unobtrusive authority, and ensuring that every movement around the Royal Procession runs seamlessly. They flank the royal carriages each day as they arrive down the Straight Mile, lining the pathway and giving the spectacle an added gravitas.

They also play an important behind-the-scenes role in the hospitality and operation of Royal Ascot. Their knowledge of protocol and procedure is second to none, and many have served for decades, becoming fixtures of the event in their own right. It is not unusual for regular racegoers to recognise and greet individual Greencoats year after year.

While their number is not publicised, the team is small and elite. Appointment as a Greencoat is regarded as a tremendous honour, and once chosen, most serve for many years, with some even passing the role through generations. Their presence connects the modern pageantry of Royal Ascot with centuries of tradition, just as the Royal Meeting itself connects contemporary sport with history, monarchy, and ceremonial splendour.