For many, summer means Bank Holiday trips to the seaside or an all-inclusive break to a sizzling European beach.
But for the well-connected few, the warmer months are an excuse to network, pose and quaff Champagne at a packed calendar of social and sporting events.
From Royal Ascot to the Glyndebourne opera festival, these stunning photographs capture society beauties and the very wealthy mingling their way through The Season.
While the events have become increasingly corporate over the years, this picture series reveals that the well-heeled still struggle to resist their allure.
One image shows elegant shoppers trying on tweed jackets at a stall at the Chelsea Flower Show in May.
Another captures nervous debutantes and their escorts waiting to make their formal introduction to society at the Queen Charlotte’s Ball at Leeds Castle on September 9.
Breathtaking: Debutantes prepare to make their introduction to society at Queen Charlotte’s Ball at Leeds Castle this month
Next generation: Well-dressed spectators gather along the banks of the Thames for the Henley Royal Regatta in June
Pretty in pink: Sporting an eye-catching hat, Russian model Natalia Kapchuk turns head at Royal Ascot in June
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Perfect fit: Women try on waterproof jackets and riding boots at a country stall at the Chelsea Flower Show in May
Ultimate al-fresco dining: Spectators at a production of La Traviata in the grounds of Glyndebourne opera house in August
Suited and booted: Cavalrymen march in the annual parade of The Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association in Hyde Park
Rivalry: Spectators wearing boating blazers gather during the annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge University
Cruising: A driver displays his 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS is displayed at the Salon Prive classic car show in September
Elegant: A debutante practices her dip curtsey at Boughton Monchelsea Place ahead of the Queen Charlotte’s Ball
Salon: Debutates and their escorts prepare at Boughton Monchelsea Place ahead of the Queen Charlotte’s Ball
Raining on their parade: Young society beauties are escorted into at Leeds Castle for the Queen Charlotte’s Ball in September
Vibrant: Racegoers in colourful hats and summer dresses gather for Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse in June
Taking a break: Glamorous racegoers find space on the stairs as they take time out from the festivities at Royal Ascot
Dressed to the nines: Striped boating blazers are the order of the day for the young men at the Henley Royal Regatta
Starting young: A mother and father wearing matching boating blazers push a pram along the bank of the Thames at Henley
Sporting showcase: A crew gather around the rowing boats following a race at the Henley Royal Regatta in June
At the ready: A rowing crew prepare ahead of a race at the Henley Royal Regatta in June as spectators line the river