First out of the gate! Racegoers get day two of Royal Ascot off to a glamorous start

Royal Ascot is one of the most glittering events in the British social calendar and racegoers did not disappoint as they arrived for a second day of festivities this morning. 

Glamorous women donned candy-coloured dresses and extravagant hats embellished with flowers and butterflies as they stepped out at the Berkshire racecourse.

Stars including Charlotte Hawkins, Debbie McGee and Helen Flanagan were among the first to arrive, with all three looking elegant in white ensembles. 

And as the party got into full swing, women in their best frocks were seen looking merry as they kicked up their heels and danced along the lawns.

The five-day festival, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, kicked off yesterday with stunning displays from well-heeled revellers – and an impressive royal guest list.  

Ascot day two! As the party got into full swing, women in their best frocks were seen looking merry as they kicked up their heels and danced along the lawns 

In their LBDs! Women grinned with delight as they got into the party spirit

Ladies wearing brightly patterned dresses threw up the peae sign as they arrived

Two women dressed in chic black ensembles grinned with delight as they got into the party spirit, left , while ladies wearing brightly patterned dresses threw up the peae sign as they arrived

Finest florals: Milliner Tracy Rose chose one of her own showstopping creations

Racegoer Jennifer Wrynne

Finest florals: Milliner Tracy Rose, left, chose one of her own showstopping creations. Right, racegoer Jennifer Wrynne

Splash of sunshine! Racegoers in different shades of yellow brighten up a cloudy second day at Royal Ascot this morning

Splash of sunshine! Racegoers in different shades of yellow brighten up a cloudy second day at Royal Ascot this morning

Inspired by nature! Rachel Oates, from Hampshire

Mrs Shane Horn, from Ascot,

Inspired by nature! Rachel Oates, from Hampshire, left, and Mrs Shane Horn, from Ascot, arriving at Royal Ascot today

Candy-coloured dream! Band The Tootsie Rollers donned summer dresses and hats by London milliner Nerida Fraiman

Candy-coloured dream! Band The Tootsie Rollers donned summer dresses and hats by London milliner Nerida Fraiman

Delicate: Presenter Francesca Cumani

Another racegoer went for a playful bird creation

Delicate: Presenter Francesca Cumani in a pretty blossom hat. Right, another racegoer went for a playful bird creation

Ready for my close up! A woman snaps a photo of her glamorous friend as racegoers start to arrive at Royal Ascot today

Ready for my close up! A woman snaps a photo of her glamorous friend as racegoers start to arrive at Royal Ascot today

Dynamic duos! A guest in a kilt causes a stir

Women pose in flowing floral maxi dresses

Dynamic duos! A guest in a kilt causes a stir, left, as he arrives at Ascot. Right, women pose in flowing floral maxi dresses

Dream teams: Handsome couples made some serious fashion statements as they arrived at Ascot Racecourse this morning

A woman stood out in her beautiful tangerine coloured dress

Dream teams: Handsome couples made some serious fashion statements as they arrived at Ascot Racecourse this morning

Here come the boys! It wasn't just women who dressed to impress, gentlemen like the ones above were also well turned out

Here come the boys! It wasn’t just women who dressed to impress, gentlemen like the ones above were also well turned out

The Queen, 93, a lifelong racing enthusiast, was joined by several members of the Royal Family including Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge, Zara Phillips and Princess Eugenie as she officially opened the event with the traditional carriage procession. 

Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands also attended. 

Royal Ascot is a much a social occasion as a sporting event and racegoers take the opportunity to turn on the style, from chic hats and summer dresses to sharp suits. 

Visitors to the high-profile racing event this year also have a wider choice of garb, as organisers say they are free to choose a gender dress code they ‘feel most comfortable’ with.

In bloom! A radiant racegoer poses next to the Royal Ascot photo wall on her way into the second day of the event today

In bloom! A radiant racegoer poses next to the Royal Ascot photo wall on her way into the second day of the event today

Statement dresses: Red

Animal print was on show

Statement dresses: Red, left, and animal print, right, were both on show as racegoers brought their fashion A-game to Ascot

Cheers! It's time for Champagne for these racegoers in The Orangerie Bar by Moet Chandon Grand Vintage at the racecourse

Cheers! It’s time for Champagne for these racegoers in The Orangerie Bar by Moet Chandon Grand Vintage at the racecourse

Tartan twosome! Milliner William Chambers and a guest

Mathias Le Fevre

Tartan twosome! Milliner William Chambers, right in left image, and a guest. Pictured right, Mathias Le Fevre

Bold and beautiful: Two racegoers pose for the camera as they arrive for the second day of races at Royal Ascot this morning

Bold and beautiful: Two racegoers pose for the camera as they arrive for the second day of races at Royal Ascot this morning

Under the changes, women will be allowed to dress like men and vice versa – as long as they stick to the rules.

This year’s Royal Enclosure dress code says ‘Gentleman’ must wear black or grey morning dress with a waist coat and tie. 

‘Ladies’ are not allowed to wear strapless and off-the-shoulder dresses, while mid-riffs have to be covered and fascinators are also banned. 

In previous years, it has insisted attendees cover their midriffs and avoid wearing fascinators and that still stands.

While in previous years there has been no official style guide for the Windsor Enclosure, except to dress for a formal occasion, now female attendees are requested to wear fascinators, like those in the rest of the enclosures.

Royal Ascot has put in place strict dress codes since the early 19th century .

The race gathering’s famously strict clothing rules hark back to sartorial trailblazer Beau Brummell, who dictated the dress for men in the Royal Enclosure at the turn of the 19th century and was fond of cleaning his shoes with champagne.

Mellow yellow! Demonstrating just how versatile one colour can be, a group of women make their Royal Ascot entrance

Mellow yellow! Demonstrating just how versatile one colour can be, a group of women make their Royal Ascot entrance

Matchy matchy! Men and women dressed in identical outfits make their way inside Ascot Racecourse to join in the fun

Matchy matchy! Men and women dressed in identical outfits make their way inside Ascot Racecourse to join in the fun

Say cheese! A group stop for a photo on their way into Royal Ascot this morning - where the second day is underway

Say cheese! A group stop for a photo on their way into Royal Ascot this morning – where the second day is underway

Fabulous fabrics: Velvet, suede, satin and silk are expertly juxtaposed in these two stylish Royal Ascot ensembles

Fabulous fabrics: Velvet, suede, satin and silk are expertly juxtaposed in these two stylish Royal Ascot ensembles

Dapper: Top hats and tails are required for gentlemen in certain enclosures - and these two chaps didn't disappoint

Dapper: Top hats and tails are required for gentlemen in certain enclosures – and these two chaps didn’t disappoint

On the approach: Racegoers dressed to the nines stroll towards Ascot Racecourse for the second day of the festival

On the approach: Racegoers dressed to the nines stroll towards Ascot Racecourse for the second day of the festival

Heavenly hats: Women wearing beautiful headpieces queued up outside Ascot Racecourse this morning, pictured

Heavenly hats: Women wearing beautiful headpieces queued up outside Ascot Racecourse this morning, pictured

Grand arrival: Well-dressed racegoers donned their Royal Ascot finery for a second day at the Berkshire racegoers

Grand arrival: Well-dressed racegoers donned their Royal Ascot finery for a second day at the Berkshire racegoers

Ready to celebrate! Royal Ascot racegoers were snapped standing in the queue at the Berkshire racecourse this morning

Ready to celebrate! Royal Ascot racegoers were snapped standing in the queue at the Berkshire racecourse this morning

Festival finery: Top hats, morning suits and summer dresses were all on show as racegoers arrived at Royal Ascot

Festival finery: Top hats, morning suits and summer dresses were all on show as racegoers arrived at Royal Ascot

Two years ago, the event broke with convention by allowing racegoers to wear jumpsuits in the Royal Enclosure for the first time.

Organisers also announced they would try to draw in a new breed of visitors by putting on a ‘party atmosphere’ and a ‘more vibrant feel’. 

Meanwhile, no changes have been made to rules for ‘Gentlemen’.

Juliet Slot, commercial director of Ascot, said: ‘Fashion and style are an important part of the Royal Ascot experience for all of our customers.’

Calm before the storm; Racegoers take a moment to themselves after arriving at Ascot Racecourse early this morning

Calm before the storm; Racegoers take a moment to themselves after arriving at Ascot Racecourse early this morning

Civilised affair: Racegoers take time to soak up the atmosphere - and bring along a potted plant to add a touch of class

Civilised affair: Racegoers take time to soak up the atmosphere – and bring along a potted plant to add a touch of class

Setting up camp! Racegoers worked together to put up their gazebo ahead of a morning of relaxation near Ascot Racecourse

Setting up camp! Racegoers worked together to put up their gazebo ahead of a morning of relaxation near Ascot Racecourse

Little touches: A man whipped out a table cloth as he prepared his picnic table for an al fresco meal at Royal Ascot today

Little touches: A man whipped out a table cloth as he prepared his picnic table for an al fresco meal at Royal Ascot today 

Settled in: One well turned out chap was ready to relax and pulled out a chair by his classic car at Royal Ascot today

Settled in: One well turned out chap was ready to relax and pulled out a chair by his classic car at Royal Ascot today

Ready for a picnic! Laden with bags and fresh baguettes make their way to their spot ahead of Royal Ascot today

Ready for a picnic! Laden with bags and fresh baguettes make their way to their spot ahead of Royal Ascot today

Making an entrance: Racegoers arrive by traditional carriage ahead of the second day of the five-day racing festival

Making an entrance: Racegoers arrive by traditional carriage ahead of the second day of the five-day racing festival 

Clear roads! Special measures were put in place to allow for Ascot arrivals, including this traditional carriage

Clear roads! Special measures were put in place to allow for Ascot arrivals, including this traditional carriage 

Giddy up! Racegoers arrive by horse and cart for the second day of the Royal Ascot festival in Berkshire this morning

Giddy up! Racegoers arrive by horse and cart for the second day of the Royal Ascot festival in Berkshire this morning

Briefed: Smartly-dressed stewards stand ready for the crowds ahead of the second day of Royal Ascot today

Briefed: Smartly-dressed stewards stand ready for the crowds ahead of the second day of Royal Ascot today

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