ROME -- Siena's Palio has refused an invite from the Buckingham Palace to perform at Windsor Castle as part of Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday celebrations this year, the event's officials say.

 The invitation was proposed in November, and for several months Palio organisers deliberated over whether to export their centuries-old tradition overseas, at the specific request of Queen Elizabeth due to her love for horses. The final decision was taken on Wednesday, with a show of pride from Siena's Mayor Bruno Valentini. "They wanted us to bring the Palio over in a bottle, but that isn't possible to do."

 The jockeys of the 17 contrade – the districts of the city who compete in each race – were reportedly eager to accept the invitation but eventually the offer was declined due to logistical concerns. Organisers of the Queen's birthday celebrations had proposed a show of 90 seconds, with a maximum of 10 people, two horses and three jockeys, outfits and drums.

 "Impossible," declared Magistrate president Laura Bonelli. "To start with there are 17 contradas, so who would have chosen them? And then what can you show in 90 seconds? We are honoured to have entertained the interests of the English Court, but it would have meant distorting a secular tradition."

 The biannual Palio show is rooted in local history, dating back to medieval times when public races on bulls, buffalos or donkeys would take place in Piazza del Campo, the Tuscan town's central square. Valentini laid strong claim to the tradition when speaking to the press, affirming that, "if you want to see the Palio you have to come to Siena. You will never see one of the forerunners or the drummers outside of here."

 Only once in history has the Palio been moved from Siena, in a time that is not looked back on with pride -- in 1938 representatives from the race were brought to Florence in honour of Adolf Hitler's visit. It appears, however, that this move will not be repeated any time soon.  

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