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Royal Ascot is one of the most glamorous occasions in the British social calendar and racegoers certainly did not disappoint today.
The event, is a highlight of the British summer season and, after a year of uncertainty and lockdowns, the first day of the races today heralds the return of occasionwear for many.
Racegoers pulled out all the stops as they attended the first day of the race after 18 months of Covid restrictions, opting to wear a dazzling array of dresses, colourful face masks and over-the-top head gear.
The event is part of a list of pilot events taking place, allowing 12,000 revellers to attend, before the possible lifting of all measures to curtail the covid-19 pandemic in July.
Earlier this month, The Telegraph reported the Queen, 95, – an avid horse racing fan – would not attend this year’s Ascot because of ongoing restrictions.
Strike a pose! Looking as stunning as a rainbow, these women appeared elegant in various pastel shades when attending Ascot in matching frocks and hats
Double trouble: These pairs dazzled when arriving at the races in elaborate ensembles – including eye-catching red and yellow designs (pictured left) and a bright orange frock (pictured right)
Among those who appeared delighted to attend was TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins, who opted for a stunning cream and lemon yellow ensemble
Many of the glamourous racegoers in attendance opted to wear matching facemasks with the colourful ensembles.
Among those who appeared delighted to attend was TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins, who opted for a stunning cream and lemon yellow outfit.
Meanwhile another wowed in a baby blue tulle midi gown, which she perfectly coordinated with a matching facemask and huge fascinator, complete with pearl detailing.
Others plumped for costume-inspired looks with one couple wearing a full orange and yellow striped ensemble for the occasion.
Forget the action on the track! Racegoers do their best to steal the show in daring hats – which include bizarre shapes and eye-catching designs
The event is part of a list of pilot events taking place, allowing 12,000 revellers to attend, before the possible lifting of all measures to curtail the covid-19 pandemic in July
Strike a pose! Looking as stunning as a rainbow, these women appeared elegant in various pastel shades when attending Ascot in matching frocks and hats
One woman opted to wear an eyecatching large yellow headband for the event, complete with feather and butterfly detailing (pictured)
One enthusiastic race-goer donned a hat featuring colourful birds on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet (pictured)
The full spectrum of race day style was on show as the first revellers arrived at Royal Ascot.
Unsurprisingly, hats where the focus of many racegoers’ outfits, with flowers, feathers and beading all on display.
Ascot had been planning for an attendance of 4,000 a day. The new figure will allow all those who rolled over 2020 bookings to be accommodated with a ‘material but not significant’ number of tickets left over, according to a track spokesperson.
The number of spectators will be well below the usual attendance of over 300,000 over the five days but the increased number was welcomed by Frankie Dettori, whose 73 royal meeting victories have only been bettered by Lester Piggott (116).
Others opted for a more elegant low-key look for the raceday, with one opting to wear a monochrome lace ensemble to the event
Dressed to the nines! This group of women looked nothing short of stunning in their colour coordinated white and blue frocks and statement fascinators
Once inside, groups of friends could be seen crowding together at the pilot event, which is part of a government scheme allowing a crowd of 12,000 to gather
Dettori, who was leading rider at the royal meeting for the seventh time last year, said: ‘There’s nothing better than Royal Ascot with people. I know it’s not 60,000 (a day) but it’s better than what we thought.
‘Last year I was leading rider at Royal Ascot and won three Group Ones, including the Gold Cup. To have nobody there to see any of that, it was like someone had cut my arm off.
‘Those are the biggest races we’ve got here and I won them in front of empty grandstands. It goes without saying it wasn’t the same.’
Visitors to the Royal and Queen Anne enclosures have to abide by a strict dress code, which does not allow bare midriffs or strapless dresses, but for guests in the Windsor and other enclosures the rules are more relaxed.
Many of the racegoers opted to wear face coverings as they arrived at the event, which is one of a pilot scheme allowing 12,00 revellers to attend
Gentlemen arriving at the event opted to wear their the traditional tails and top hats (pictured)
With the clue in the name, Royal Ascot is hugely popular with the monarchy and Her Majesty is usually a regular at the event. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, she had attended every year since ascending the throne.
Last year, dedicated Royal Ascot showed off their finest frocks and fascinators while celebrating the fourth day of the racing meet at home.
Even the most committed fans were left watching jockeys riding, wearing face masks, broadcast virtually.
Among the racing enthusiasts who stayed at home was the Queen, who has been forced to watch the event from Windsor Castle for the first time in her 68-year reign.
In an emotional note shared last year, Her Majesty praised the ‘valiant’ efforts of organisers and said she is sure it will still be the ‘highlight’ of the racing calendar, despite the ‘different’ circumstances.
Many of those attending the event today appeared elated to be back at the races after 18 months of Covid restrictions
Visitors to the Royal and Queen Anne enclosures have to abide by a strict dress code, which does not allow bare midriffs or strapless dresses, but for guests in the Windsor and other enclosures the rules are more relaxed
