Royal Ascot panic as Extinction Rebellion protestors chain themselves to rail in front of Queen before being ejected
EXTINCTION REBELLION protestors were thrown out of Royal Ascot after chaining themselves to a rail in front of The Queen.
Four women dressed as hospitality workers were ejected by security after being removed from a rail by the winning post.
They unfurled a banner reading 'Racing to Extinction' after the first race had finished just after 2.30pm.
A black screen was put up around the climate activists as security unshackled them.
A post on the Extinction Rebellion website confirmed they were behind the protest - which came as The Queen attended the royal meeting for the first time this week.
The statement read: "On Saturday June 19th, the final day of Royal Ascot, four women from Extinction Rebellion entered the racecourse with a banner reading ‘Racing to extinction.’
"They glued themselves to their banner and chained themselves to the fence before the Queen, requesting that she use her influence to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.
"The action pays tribute to the suffragette, Emily Davison, who died attempting to attach a flag to the King’s horse during the Epsom Derby in 1913. Like Emily, the protesters say they want to urge those with connections and influence to drive positive change."
One of the protesters, Sam Smithson, 38, said: “I’m really sorry to be disrupting this event, but unfortunately, like suffragette Emily Davison, we have been left with no other choice, as we are running out of time in the race to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.
"We can’t negotiate with each other or nature for more time by carbon offsetting, whilst also promoting infinite growth on a finite planet and chopping down our ancient woodlands."
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The activists were eager to note they waited until horses were not running before commencing the stunt.
In addition to chaining themselves to the fence, they had also glued themselves to the banner.
All four were arrested and escorted off the premises by police.
Her Majesty, 95, was attending the event for the first time since the passing of her husband Prince Phillip.
She arrived in a stunning mint green dress and looked to be having a great time as she chatted to legendary jockey Frankie Dettori.
Fortunately it appears the demonstration was not directly near where The Queen watched the action on Saturday.
Unfortunately she had some hard luck on the day, with Reach For The Moon finishing second and King's Lynn third - but no winners.