Hats off to racegoers as Royal Ascot hosts Ladies’ Day
- 22 Jun 2024
Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot saw weird and wacky hats on display as racegoers added a touch of fun ahead of the action on the turf. The middle of racing week was a chance for punters to up the ante in the fashion stakes and put on a display of colour and creativity.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. AP
One racegoer had a replica owl, with its wings spread, as a hat while another wore a wide-brimmed lattice design she peered through, and one woman had a collection of children’s toys on a faux grassy bank as headwear.
Gemma Mattison, 41, from Birmingham had a large red rose as a hat and said she wanted to make a statement on Ladies’ Day. She said: “I always have a classic look when I come to Royal Ascot but this time I thought I’d go all out — it’s now or never.
So I’ve come as an English rose.” Milliner Vivienne Jenner was wearing the large-brimmed lattice hat she designed and made: “It’s very lightweight as its made from wire work and the flowers are made of feathers, so it’s very easy to wear.”
She joked: “I can just bash everyone out of the way.” The couple, who took on Queen Elizabeth II’s racing horses, had a thoroughbred entered in the King George V Stakes. Among the celebrities presenting prizes were actress Celia Imrie, Blackadder star Tim McInnerny and property expert and TV presenter Sarah Beeny.
Other members of the monarchy due in the royal box include the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, alongside Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall and son-in-law Mike Tindall.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also invited. Prince William attended a royal horse racing event alongside his mother and father-in-law on Wednesday. William, 41, was spotted at the Royal Ascot with Michael Middleton, 71, and Carole Middleton, 69. Their daughter, Catherine, Princess of Wales, was not in attendance. William’s own father, King Charles, attended the social event a day earlier, alongside Queen Camilla.
The queen also rode in a carriage with William to Wednesday’s races. The Middletons and William were photographed in conversation in the Royal Ascot’s Parade Ring, and William even appeared to help his mother-in-law with a high heel snafu in the grass, holding her hand briefly as she worked to free her shoe from the turf. Catherine, 42, has made only one public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis in March. She attended Trooping the Colour on June 15 alongside William and their three children.
Text/Photos: Agencies