It’s arguably the most glamorous event in the racing calendar and Ladies Day got off to a very stylish start today as attendees streamed through the gates of the Berkshire course, dressed to impress.
Racegoers are encouraged to make a special effort with their outfits for Ladies’ Day, when the flagship Gold Cup race takes place.
Among the early arrivals, GMB presenter Charlotte Hawkins set the bar high in a chic grey and white dress with a pleated dress, while reality star Olivia Attwood was striking in a figure-hugging pink dress teamed with a Love Island inspired hat.
Meanwhile, Made In Chelsea’s Georgia Toffolo was pretty as a picture in a sweet pink, white and blue ensemble.
Others added an element of sex appeal to their outfits, with one woman stepping out in a disco inspired silver and blue sequinned gown, while another donned a daring red dress, slashed to the thigh.
Of course, elaborate millinery was very much the order of the day including a woman sporting a swarm of bees around a honeycomb, and another with a tropical inspired hat, complete with a toucan nestled among the blooms.
The term Ladies Day was first used in 1823 when an anonymous poet described the Thursday of the annual meeting as ‘Ladies’ Day … when the women, like angels, look sweetly divine.’
Ladies Day is here! Racegoers stepped out in all their finery at Royal Ascot this morning for the most glamorous day in the racing calendar
An early arrival put on a very glamorous display in a figure hugging navy lace dress. Meanwhile, Melanie Marcolin injected an element of disco into her look in a full length blue and silver sequinned gown
Belle of the ball! Harriadnie Beau wearing a Alyce Paris dress and a Ilda Di Vico Couture Millinery hat festooned with butterflies (left). Ella Reese was the picture of elegance in a nude prom style dress and a stunning black and white hat
Hats off to them! These friends were certainly in the running for most elaborate millinery of the day in very striking headpieces including a massive arrangement of ostrich plumes (right)
One for Instagram! Friends made sure to take a snap to commemorate their big day out (left). A stylish pair were pretty as a picture in white and pink outfits (right)
Ready for action! A group of fashionable friends paused to change into heels and ready themselves for the day of fun ahead
Scarlet lady! A woman put on a striking display in a red bustier teamed with similarly fiery accessories. Another racegoer teamed her palm print desk with a tropical display complete with an ornamental toucan
Strike a pose! These friends were clearly in great spirits and looking forward to the day of sporting action ahead
Lovely in lemon! Milliner Ilda Di Vico was looking fruity as she posed with armed police officers (left). A smartly dressed couple arriving for a day of racing action, which will feature the prestigious Gold Cup. BBC presenter Larissa Eddie and actor Hayley Palmer kept their dresses simple and made a statement with their headgear
The term Ladies Day was first used in 1823 when an anonymous poet described the Thursday of the annual meeting as ‘Ladies’ Day … when the women, like angels, look sweetly divine.’
While there is no official prize on offer for best dressed lady as there is at other race meetings, ticket holders were still eager to put their best foot forward.
Up to 300,000 people are due to descend on the event over the course of five days and naturally the stylish day out is a magnet for celebrities, and is predicted to be a star-studded occasion.
With the clue in the name, Royal Ascot is hugely popular with the monarchy and Her Majesty has attended every year since ascending the throne.
On Tuesday, she introduced the newest member of the family – the Duchess of Sussex – to the event for the first time, and yesterday attended with Prince Charles, Camilla and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
One woman paired her quirky bird print top with a colourful floral headpiece, while another also opted for the botanical theme in shades of green and white
All the colours of the rainbow: A brightly dressed pair in matching stripes were eager to stand out from the crowd. Stephanie Grimshaw kept it simple in a belted blue dress, teamed with a black hat
Finishing touches! Milliner Ilda Di Vico adjusting a racegoers’ hat as they prepare to enjoy the big day out
Designer Suzanne Ryan wearing one of her own creations for the big day (left). Right: A racegoer opted for the botanical theme in a hat adorned with floral accents
Ready for Ladies Day! A stylish group of friends posed up a storm for the cameras, eager to show off their race day finery
And they’re off! A woman in a pretty floral sprigged dress was among the early arrivals at the Berkshire course. Lady in red: A racegoer put on a daring display in a fiery red dress teamed with scarlet heels
Dramatic millinery was very much the order of the day as racing fans stepped out in hats adorned with ornamental butterflies, net veils and feathers
One woman stepped out in the much-coveted polka dot dress from Topshop that sold out all over the country. A fellow racegoer opted for a fiery colour scheme in vibrant shades of red – right down to her lipstick
Here come the girls! A posse of well-dressed friends were eager to up the glamour stakes for their big day out
The sun was shining this morning and racegoers were in great spirits as they looked forward to a day of high style, as well as the Gold Cup
Co-ordinated crew! A group of friends put on a stylish display in perfectly matched floral outfits
Racegoers flooded to the bars to soak up the atmosphere before the action got underway on the track
However, Zara Tindall will be a notable absentee from proceedings this year after giving birth to her second child – a baby girl – on Monday, while the Duchess of Cambridge is also expected to bow out, as she focuses on spending time with newborn Prince Louis.
Punters have already been placing novelty bets on what colour hat the Queen will wear for Ladies Day, with green the current favourite.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: ‘The early money suggests that Her Majesty will opt for green rather than pink.’
Hats off to them! Racegoers show off VERY elaborate millinery bedecked with bees, flowers and feathers on Ladies Day
No Ladies Day at Ascot would be complete without a selection of statement hats, ranging from the traditional to the outrageous and everything in between. One woman looked striking in a hat designed to look like bees buzzing around a honeycomb while others opted for floral displays that encased their entire heads.
The wow factor! This racing fan skipped the floral trim and stood out in a geometric creation (left). Another brave racegoer wore one of the biggest hats of the day, trimmed with huge ostrich plumes
Today racegoers faced breathalyser tests and a team of sniffer dogs at the gate amid heightened security measures, and there is also a crackdown on beer sales and an increased stewarding presence.
An ugly brawl broke out at a Saturday race meeting at the track in May, putting a spotlight on the increasing use of recreational drugs and excessive drinking at racecourses.
One of the biggest changes that racegoers will notice at the royal meeting is the absence of ‘beer hawkers’ — staff carrying beer on their backs to sell in the crowds.
Other new measures in the ‘behavioural management’ plan include an increase in the high-visibility response team to more than 100 stewards, and more specialist incident spotters.
More than 20 sniffer dogs will also patrol the Berkshire course, and in an unprecedented move, the canines will be seen near the toilets, in an effort to reduce recreational drug use.
Once again this year, armed police are also patrolling the course as a precautionary measure.
Striking a pose! Actress Sofia Hayat risked getting grass stains on her pale pink dress as she worked the camera (left). Edilane Nunes was a vision in pink in a wide legged jumpsuit
Alessandro Maria Ferreri, a strategic advisor to luxury brands, poses with guests inside the royal enclosure on Ladies Day
Vintage girl band The Tootsie Rollers are a regular fixture at the racing festival and opted for a monochrome colour scheme today
Capturing memories: Racegoers take a selfie during day three of Royal Ascot
Eager early arrivals queued up to retrieve their badges for the royal enclosure (left). Trainer Wesley Ward (left) will no doubt be hoping for success later on today (right)
Thursday is Ladies Day, when racegoers make a special effort with their outfits and the prestigious Gold Cup takes place. Armed police are on patrol once again on day three as a precautionary measure to reassure racegoers attending the annual meeting in Berkshire
Ready for action! Horses trained by Wesley Ward return from an early morning gallop during day three of Royal Ascot
Royally good taste! A very stylish lady in a Self Portrait dress, previously worn by the Duchess of Cambridge (left). A smartly dressed couple arriving for a day of racing action, which will feature the prestigious Gold Cup
A groundsman prepares the royal balcony day three of Royal Ascot, which will play host to the Queen and other members of the royal family