If you thought Royal Ascot was just about horse racing... think again.
Hats off —
If you thought Royal Ascot was just about horse racing... think again.
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The prestigious five-day racing festival opens with Queen Elizabeth II parading around the track in an elegant horse-drawn carriage.
Royal reception —
The prestigious five-day racing festival opens with Queen Elizabeth II parading around the track in an elegant horse-drawn carriage.
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And she's not the only Royal making a grand entrance, with son Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and grandson, Prince Harry, donning top hats for the occasion.
Family affair —
And she's not the only Royal making a grand entrance, with son Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and grandson, Prince Harry, donning top hats for the occasion.
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Day Three of the meet is traditionally Ladies' Day, when the designer dresses and millinery masterpieces are just as much a focus as the horse racing. Princess Anne and Princess Beatrice (pictured) show them how it's done.
Ladies' day —
Day Three of the meet is traditionally Ladies' Day, when the designer dresses and millinery masterpieces are just as much a focus as the horse racing. Princess Anne and Princess Beatrice (pictured) show them how it's done.
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Hats are an essential part of the race-goer's outfit, from dramatic Hepburn-style sweeping brims, to whacky home-made works of art. This pom pom head piece might not be to everyone's taste, but earns full marks for creativity.
Mind-bending millinery —
Hats are an essential part of the race-goer's outfit, from dramatic Hepburn-style sweeping brims, to whacky home-made works of art. This pom pom head piece might not be to everyone's taste, but earns full marks for creativity.
Stuart Wilson/Getty Images/File
Ascot's plush Royal Enclosure viewing area offers five-day tickets for a whopping $560. Fashion protocol is similarly steep -- women must wear hats, or failing that, a headpiece with a 10-centimeter base. Fascinators -- small ornaments attached to a headband -- are a no-no.
Tea time —
Ascot's plush Royal Enclosure viewing area offers five-day tickets for a whopping $560. Fashion protocol is similarly steep -- women must wear hats, or failing that, a headpiece with a 10-centimeter base. Fascinators -- small ornaments attached to a headband -- are a no-no.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images/File
In comparison, the Silver Ring Enclosure, which offers $45 daily tickets, simply requires its racegoers to wear smart clothes, with a reminder that "bare chests are not permitted at any time."
Fashion peacocks —
In comparison, the Silver Ring Enclosure, which offers $45 daily tickets, simply requires its racegoers to wear smart clothes, with a reminder that "bare chests are not permitted at any time."
Stuart Wilson/Getty Images/File
"Horse racing's roots as the 'sport of kings' obviously suggest a pleasure pastime for the elite," Willie Walters, the fashion course director at London's Central Saint Martins college of art and design, told CNN.
Fashion stakes —
"Horse racing's roots as the 'sport of kings' obviously suggest a pleasure pastime for the elite," Willie Walters, the fashion course director at London's Central Saint Martins college of art and design, told CNN.
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"In the past this would have been, depending on the monarch, an opportunity for either ostentatious displays or relatively tasteful, yet expensive, modesty," she added.
See and be seen —
"In the past this would have been, depending on the monarch, an opportunity for either ostentatious displays or relatively tasteful, yet expensive, modesty," she added.
Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images/File
Queen Elizabeth II will be present for the entire five-day meeting, but it was her predecessor Queen Anne who founded Ascot racecourse in 1711. The venue's links with high society have remained intact ever since.
Grand tradition —
Queen Elizabeth II will be present for the entire five-day meeting, but it was her predecessor Queen Anne who founded Ascot racecourse in 1711. The venue's links with high society have remained intact ever since.
Stuart Wilson/Getty Images/File
Tradition looms large at the 300-year-old horse race. Of the 280,000 people who attend Ascot each year, just 12,000 can be found hobnobbing in the plush Royal Enclosure each day -- but it's not the only place to have fun on the track.
Fun day out —
Tradition looms large at the 300-year-old horse race. Of the 280,000 people who attend Ascot each year, just 12,000 can be found hobnobbing in the plush Royal Enclosure each day -- but it's not the only place to have fun on the track.
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Of course, that's not to dismiss the highlight of Ladies' Day...
On track —
Of course, that's not to dismiss the highlight of Ladies' Day...
Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images/File
... the Gold Cup. This year's race was won by Leading Light, ridden by jockey Joseph O'Brien.
Hats off to Royal Ascot —
... the Gold Cup. This year's race was won by Leading Light, ridden by jockey Joseph O'Brien.
Not everyone will be pleased with the result though. Leading Light narrowly beat the Queen's own horse and reigning champion, Estimate. Still, Her Majesty put on a brave face while awarding the trophy.
One is gracious in defeat —
Not everyone will be pleased with the result though. Leading Light narrowly beat the Queen's own horse and reigning champion, Estimate. Still, Her Majesty put on a brave face while awarding the trophy.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images/File
One jockey jumping for joy was Italian jockey Frankie Dettori after winning the Norfolk Stakes atop Baitha Alga, earlier in the day.
Jumping for joy —
One jockey jumping for joy was Italian jockey Frankie Dettori after winning the Norfolk Stakes atop Baitha Alga, earlier in the day.
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