DARING hats and show-stopping dresses have been the order of the day at Royal Ascot today as attendees raise the fashion stakes with their looks.
The most prestigious racing event is back for day two, with royalty and A-listers alike dressed to the nines.
While Princess Kate has dropped out of Royal Ascot this year, her mum Carole Middleton and sister-in-law Alizee Thevenet are in attendancePA
Simon JonesThe two women looked glamorous in pastel maxi dresses and matching hats at the Berkshire racecourse[/caption]
ReutersKing Charles and Queen Camilla appeared to be enjoying their day in the sun[/caption]
PAPrince William looked smart in a top hat and blue tie – as he attended without Princess Kate[/caption]
PAThe Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal joined the royals at Ascot[/caption]
GettyCarole dazzled in a butter yellow lace dress[/caption]
GettyZara Tindall and Mike Tindall beamed as they arrived for their fun-filled day[/caption]
GettyMade in Chelsea alumna Georgia Toffolo looked elegant in a cream maxi dress by CHATS by C.DAM maxi dress[/caption]
i-ImagesLucy Mecklenburgh looked characteristically chic in a black midi dress and matching fascinator[/caption]
GoffAscot was a date day for Lucy and husband Ryan Thomas[/caption]
SplashOne guests ensured all eyes were on her in a bright pink dress with a huge feather-adorned hat[/caption]
GettyInfluencer Laura Anne-Barr, who runs the All That’s Pretty Instagram page, looked elegant in a white Beulah dress[/caption]
BackGridBold headpieces and striking sunglasses were all the rage for guests in the sun[/caption]
PAThere was no missing this incredible pink fascinator which was covered in coloured balls[/caption]
GoffCharlotte Hawkins looked pretty in a floral dress that fell to her ankles[/caption]
PAThis daring pink headpiece was sure to attract attention at the racecourse[/caption]
Simon JonesAttendees beamed as they arrived for their racing day in the sun[/caption]
GettyThis huge floral headpiece certainly stood out from the crowd[/caption]
GettySinger Natalie Rushdie looked elegant in a powder blue dress[/caption]
One guest looked pretty in pink, wearing a floaty gown and floral hatAP
PAThis group of women also got the pink memo for the second day of racing[/caption]
GettyStylish TV host Francesca Cumani proved top hats aren’t just for the men at Royal Ascot[/caption]
GettyOne guest decided to go bold or go home with her fuchsia pink dress[/caption]
GettyAn elegant racegoer, wearing a Holland and Cooper dress, opted for a beige ensemble[/caption]
PAForget plain headbands, these hats are the true show-stoppers of Ascot[/caption]
Champagne bottles have been popped in the sun by well-heeled guests who are dressed to impress.
Many people have donned their fanciest maxi dresses for the racing extravaganza.
It’s no wonder people have dressed to the nines for the occasion, as each year the royal family flocks to Ascot to witness the action.
It was announced, however, that the Princess of Wales has pulled out of Royal Ascot as she continues her cancer recovery.
It is understood the Princess of Wales “is disappointed” not to go but “has to find the right balance” on returning to full time duty.
Kate, 43, was previously listed by Royal Ascot as arriving in the carriage procession with Prince William – who is still attending.
She attended Trooping the Colour and Order of the Garter in recent days plus a visit to V&A East Storehouse last week.
While Kate has skipped Ascot, her mum Carole Middleton is in attendance, with daughter-in-law Alizée Thevenet, who is married to Kate’s brother James.
A number of celebrities have been seen at the Berkshire racecourse, including Made In Chelsea alum Georgia Toffolo, who was back for a second day.
Today she wore a cream CHATS by C.DAM maxi dress and a red Awon Golding Millinery hat.
Meanwhile, Lucy Mecklenburgh looked elegant in a blue dress as she enjoyed a date day with husband Ryan Thomas.
The Royal Ascot dress code varies across different enclosures, with the Royal Enclosure asking guests to stick to top hats and tails for the men.
Women must wear a dress or skirt falling just above the knee or longer, with shoulder straps a minimum width of 1 inch and hats are compulsory.
The Queen Anne Enclosure offers a more relaxed dress code, while the Windsor Enclosure is the most relaxed, with no formal dress code but smart attire is encouraged.
Royal Ascot was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne who, when riding out from Windsor Castle, came across a piece of land “ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch” and thus Ascot Racecourse was born.
GettyLady Victoria Hervey also opted for a floral dress at the racecourse[/caption]
PAGuests appeared in high spirits as they arrived at Royal Ascot[/caption]
The first Royal Meeting took place at Ascot in 1768 and it is now Britain’s most popular race meeting, welcoming in excess of 250,000 racegoers across five days.
Each morning the gates open at 10.30am each day, ready for the anticipated first race which kicks off at 2.30pm.
There are then seven races throughout the day, the last of which commencing at 6.10pm.
And, of course, 2pm on each day of racing is the royal procession.
As well as the racing, there’s also lots of other things for the lucky guests to enjoy.
It’s predicted that the fine dining curated by 350 chefs will serve up 220,000 hand-crafted afternoon tea cakes, 7,300 Angus steaks and 3,000 kilos of salmon over the five days.
What’s more, the Royal Meeting will also serve 220,000 finger sandwiches and 10,000 punnets of mixed berries.
In the Queen Anne Enclosure, guests are able to tuck into mouthwatering steaks at 1768 Grill by Argentinian restaurant Gaucho.
On the drinks front, 65,000 bottles of Champagne and 100,000 bottles of wine are expected to be consumed.
In 2023, approximately 400 helicopters and 1,000 limousines descended on Royal Ascot, with an average of 60,000 racegoers each day.
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