U.K. Weather: Heat Wave Puts Wrinkle In Royal Ascot's Famously Strict Dress Code

Not even the stiffest and stuffiest of British traditions is safe from the June 2017 heatwave—these things are relative—sweeping across much of the U.K.

As temperatures soared past 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), Royal Ascot, one of the country's most famous horse-racing venues, announced a relaxation of its rule forbidding men to remove their suit jackets.

"If it gets very hot a dress code notification would be put out," a spokesman for the Berkshire racecourse said in quotes reported by The Times. "If it is becoming uncomfortable, we would let people take their jacket off and relax a little bit. A course-wide announcement would be made and it will be up to individuals to make their own decisions.

"Health and safety is obviously paramount. This will be the hottest environment we have had for a very long time. It is only common sense. We have to be careful."

The annual June meeting at Ascot is one of the most important in the British flat-racing calendar, and climaxes with the Ascot Gold Cup on Saturday.

Ascot—around six miles from Windsor Castle and attended every year by Queen Elizabeth II—has a famously strict dress code. Inside the Royal Enclosure, for instance, top hat and tails are required at all times.

"Fancy dress and replica sports shirts are not permitted at Ascot Racecourse," the official website proclaims sternly.

"Ascot Racecourse reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone deemed to be dressed inappropriately."

The Times also reports that guests will be allowed to bring bottled water onto the site for the first time.

The stars of the show, of course, are the horses. "We will be particularly mindful of horses coming off the track, especially those going to the winner's enclosure," the spokesman continued. "If it is not sensible for them to go, they will stay in the unsaddling enclosure."