The most glamorous event of the racing calendar brought nail-biting drama to the track – and plenty of sartorial drama to the stands
Last week marked the return of Royal Ascot, and with it came a quintessentially British affair of fabulous fashion. True to form, royalty rubbed shoulders with the style elite for a celebration of sartorial elegance on the sidelines of the racetrack.
On day one, Princess Beatrice arrived on the arm of her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a pink and cream floral shirt dress from Zimmermann with coordinating blooms atop her head erupting from her Juliette Botterill Millinery headband. Zara Tindall also opted for a pink printed number, hers being a more abstract take on florals from British designer Anna Mason which featured puff sleeves and bow belt, accessorised with a pompom-embellished headpiece to match. The Countess of Wessex followed suit in a similarly pink ensemble, paired with dainty pearl jewellery flourishes and a wide brimmed hat, her neat mignon popping out from beneath.
The Duchess of Cornwall channelled the sunny disposition of the day with a sky-blue coat dress from Anna Valentine and marvellous millinery from Philip Treacy. Sophie Winkleman was also in attendance wearing yet another floral frock, although her husband Lord Frederick Windsor stayed home. Instead, she arrived beside the handsome PR guru Zafar Rushdie.
Day two brought yet more stylish ensembles, including another My Fair Lady-esque moment from the Countess of Wessex, elegant in a blue, flower-bedecked hat; and a chic appearance from the ever-glamorous Spencer twins, Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia, wearing Michael Kors Collection.
The Royal Family continued to fly the fashion flag on day three, with Princess Anne and Zara Tindall forming an elegant mother-daughter duo, while the Countess of Wessex wowed in a sculptural hat and bold abstract florals.
Soaring temperatures on Friday meant Ascot announced a relaxation of its strict dress code, permitting the removal of hats and jackets following the Royal Procession. The heat didn’t diminish the excitement when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge finally made their first Ascot appearance of the week, leading the Royal Procession. Their eagerly anticipated arrival was certainly worth the wait, with Kate looking flawlessly elegant in Alessandra Rich polka dots – sparking comparisons to a similar monochrome dress worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales at Ascot in 1988. The duchess even seemed to nod to her mother-in-law by donning an item of jewellery that formerly belonged to Diana, her diamond and South Sea pearl earrings, which Kate previously wore to the BAFTAs in 2019.
On the final day of the races on Saturday, there was no appearance from the Queen – with 2022 constituting the first time in her 70-year reign that she had missed Ascot entirely. Her fellow royals continued to represent her in force, however, including a scene-stealing appearance from Princess Beatrice. A day on from the Duchess of Cambridge’s own polka-dot moment, the monarch’s granddaughter also opted for a monochrome spotty look, choosing a chic Saloni Lodha dress with pretty puffed sleeves and silver bows. Beatrice finished her outfit with a delicate fascinator adorned with a white rose, while her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, looked dashing in his morning suit, cream waistcoat and top hat.
Revisit all the best looks from the five-day fashion extravaganza below.
