Glamorous racegoers have put their best fashion foot forward as they arrived at Royal Ascot in the sunshine today to kick off Ladies Day.
Bright summer dresses, vibrant frocks and extravagant headpieces were all on display as thousands of revellers descended on the Berkshire racecourse this morning.
Pink appeared to be the order of the day for many, with radiant racegoers showcasing an array of fabulous ensembles in the shade.
One guest decided to stand out from the crowd with a hot pink belted dress and eye-catching bow fascinator in a matching shade, while another opted for a one-sleeved pale pink frock.
Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, started on Tuesday with the Queen Anne Stakes and will run until Saturday.
Radiant guests turned the racecourse into a sea of colourful ensembles as they stepped out for the prestigious occasion.
Those trying to command attention amongst the crowd of thousands opted for unique garments – including a Spanish-inspired bright red dress – but her extra-large feather hat stole the show.
The wacky, gravity-defying style of hats is permitted in most areas at Ascot, except in the Royal Enclosure.
Think pink! Glamorous racegoers have upped the style stakes on Ladies Day of Royal Ascot today
‘A hat or headpiece with a solid base of four inches in diameter is mandatory in the Royal Enclosure,’ explained the Royal Ascot website.
‘Fascinators are not permitted. Novelty hats (i.e. ones which are excessively oversized, or are promoting or marketing any product or brand) are not permitted.’
The event’s official lookbook this year was curated by menswear specialist Daniel Fletcher, who has previously designed for the likes of Louis Vuitton, JW Anderson and Victoria Beckham.
The guide outlines the dos and don’ts of dressing for the annual event, and for the first time ever, it’s also determined the colour of the year – bright tomato.
And it seems attendees have taken note, with today’s turnout wearing a variety of show-stopping outfits as they descended on Ascot for a day of equestrian fun.
Floral prints, polka dots and vibrant outfits were also the order of the day for many, while others looked effortlessly elegant in crisp white frocks.
Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, started on Tuesday with the Queen Anne Stakes and The King Charles III Stakes and will run until Saturday.
The festival was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 after she declared Ascot ideal for ‘horses fit for kings’ and has today become a major social event as well as a sporting attraction.
Bringing the sunshine! A racegoer stunned in a butter yellow dress and a contrasting black fascinator
Hats off! One woman sported a sparkling red dress today – but it was her extravagant headpiece that stole the show
Pretty in pink! A beaming racegoer opted for a stunning dress on the third day of the prestigious event
Here come the girls! Two attendeess, dressed to the nines in elegant frocks, arrived linking arms
Yesterday, the Princess of Wales brought the sunshine to Royal Ascot after a two-year absence as she arrived at the races wearing a bright yellow dress.
Catherine, 44, joined the royal family’s carriage procession alongside her husband, the Prince of Wales, as they travelled behind the King and Queen.
The future Queen’s £1,095 daffodil yellow outfit was from the label Roksanda, and Catherine paired it with a hat from Jane Taylor Millinery, while Prince William pinned yellow flowers to his lapel to complement his wife’s ensemble.
Yesterday marked the third time Catherine has donned the frock, having previously worn it on a State Visit to Jamaica and at the Wimbledon championships in 2022.
The mother-of-three carried an ivory satin clutch from Anya Hindmarch, believed to be worth £395, and rewore her cream-coloured Gianvito Rossi suede pumps.
Catherine’s outfit also included sentimental details, such as the late Queen Elizabeth’s gorgeous diamond chandelier earrings and Princess Diana’s three-strand pearl necklace.
The princess’s mother, Carole Middleton, also made the case for repurposed fashion as she arrived at Ascot yesterday wearing the same dress she wore to Pippa Middleton’s wedding nine years ago.
Carole, 71, cut a stylish figure in the blush pink Catherine Walker coat dress, which she paired with a matching hat and shoes, both from Emmy London, as Carole happily posed for pictures alongside her daughter-in-law Alizee Thevenet.
Racegoers were delighted to see the Princess riding in the second royal carriage alongside Prince William, 43, after she was forced to skip the event in 2025 while trying to ‘find the right balance’ after her cancer treatment.
The last time Catherine attended Ascot was in 2023, when the future Queen famously wore a ‘tomato red’ Alexander McQueen dress – proving Kate is always one step ahead of fashion trends.
