The Queen broke with her Royal blue tradition today as she donned a stunning dove grey coat and floral silk dress with accents of lemon yellow to Ladies’ Day at Ascot.
The monarch, 93, arrived for the afternoon of racing in an open-top carriage alongside her son Prince Andrew, Duke of York, 59, daughter Princess Anne, 69, and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Having worn traditional pale blue for the past two days of the meet, Queen Elizabeth II opted for a departure from her usual bright colour palette, and completed her look with a pleated hat with spike flowers and a striking floral brooch with complimenting yellow diamonds, which was a present from the Sultan of Oman.
She coordinated perfectly with her daughter the Princess Royal, who looked elegant in a pale green ensemble with a subtle nod to her mother’s yellow theme in her accessories.
They were followed in the second carriage by Princess Eugenie, 29, who wore a beautiful forest green dress with a hat by Bundle MacLaren featuring a striking twisting feather.
The Queen broke with her Royal blue tradition today as she donned a stunning dove grey coat and floral silk dress with accents of lemon yellow to Ladies’ Day at Ascot
The monarch wore her signature pearls and white gloves as well as a stylish pleated hat with spike flowers protuding from the rim
The Queen waves at the cheering Royal Ascot crowds as she arrives for the Berkshire racecourse event in a traditional carriage
The monarch was joined in her carriage by her daughter Princess Anne, who looked elegant in a pale green ensemble with a subtle nod to her mother’s yellow theme in her accessories
Queen Elizabeth, 93, arrived for the afternoon of racing in an open-top carriage alongside her son Prince Andrew, Duke of York, 59, daughter Princess Anne, 69, and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence
The royal was joined by Mr James Fellowes, who founded the Bridge of Hope charity initiative, which helps people who have fallen off the career ladder get into horseracing, and The Viscount and Viscountess Brookeborough.
The third and final carriage carried a grinning Zara and Mike Tindall, with the Queen’s granddaughter stunning in a teal dress by Claire Mischevani and a complimenting sculpted hat by London milliner Juliette Botterill.
They were joined by Peter and Autumn Phillips, who looked dazzling in a floral dress by Claire Mischevani and an ivory cocktail hat by Bee Smith.
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 – and this year has been no exception.
Having been forced to whip out a brolly yesterday, the Queen will have been relieved that the heavy rain has cleared and been replaced with glorious sunshine.
The third and final carriage carried a grinning Zara Tindall, wearing a sculpted hat by London milliner Juliette Botterill, beside her sister-in-law Autumn Phillips, right
Both Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall opted for similar shades, with Eugenie donning forest green and Zara a teal ensemble by Claire Mischevani
Princess Eugenie was all smiles as she arrived with Mr James Fellowes and The Viscount and Viscountess Brookeborough
No need for an umbrella today! Yesterday’s heavy rain was a distant memory as the Queen squinted at the crowds in the sunlight
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 – and this year has been no exception. Pictured: The Queen and Princess Anne, left, and Zara Tindall, right
Royal Ascot Ladies Day is one of the most glamorous occasions in the British social calendar and racegoers certainly did not disappoint as they descended on the Berkshire racecourse for the third day of the meet this morning.
Newlywed Lady Gabriella Windsor, who tied the knot at Windsor Castle last month, was among the high profile faces spotted in the crowds as she arrived on the arm of new husband Thomas Kingston.
Model Abbey Clancy, who attended with her footballer husband Peter Crouch, led the glamour in a ruched midi dress, while Judy Murray opted for a classic blue coat dress.
Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer and Victoria actress Nell Hudson were also on hand to join in the fun at the racing festival.
The full spectrum of race day style was on show, with many in the mood to take a fashion risk, especially when it came to elaborate headwear.
Many revellers held up their camera phones to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family as they entered the Berkshire racecourse by carriage
High profile guests: Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch, left, and newlyweds Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston
Newlyweds! Lady Gabriella Windsor and new husband Thomas Kingston beamed as they arrived at Royal Ascot today
A range of outfits were on display at the Ladies Day at Ascot today, which has a strict dress code, including a decadent Victorian style headpiece (left) and bold red outfit (right)
She’s a little teapot! A playful hat by Bundle MacLaren Millinery, left, and edgy thigh-skimming frocks were on show at Royal Ascot Ladies Day
Garden queens! Lystra Adams from Rugely, in Staffordshire, left, and Charlotte Ricard-Quesada, from London, at Royal Ascot
Let me take a selfie! A young woman beamed as she captured her beautiful electric blue ensemble on camera at Royal Ascot
Perfectly civilised! Bubbles and Pimms were the drinks of choice for many Royal Ascot revellers as the afternoon went on
Florals for spring! Some racegoers opted for bright and colourful floor length floral dresses, donning stylish fascinators with their trendy outfits
Many racegoers donned fabulous and extravagant hats and headpieces at the event
Bright and beautiful! This group of friends brought a playful explosion of colour to the day’s events at Royal Ascot
Hold onto your hat! Tracy Rose, from Ascot, battled to keep her towering headpiece under control as she posed for photos
Pimms O’Clock! The drinks were flowing in one of the restaurants as racegoers soaked up the atmosphere at Royal Ascot
Sticking with the theme! A woman in a yellow horse print dress, left. Right, a sky blue frock with metallic accessories
Getting in on the fun: Two police officers smiled for the cameras as they posed with a racegoer on her way into the event
Red alert! A woman in a beautiful dress with a high-low hem, left, and the reveller in the Union Jack flag frock, arrive at Ascot
Touch of sunshine: A dapper man matched his partner’s dress with a yellow tie as they arrived for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
Blush pink beauties: A delicate veil brought a feminine touch, left. Racegoer Alexandra Bertram, right, plumped for a bow
Living their fantasy: Moons, rainbows and autumnal floral displays all made an appearance on racegoers’ hats
Here come the girls! Royal Ascot racegoers held nothing back when it came to choosing eye-catching fashion for the day
Unsurprisingly, hats where the focus of many racegoers’ outfits, with flowers, feathers and beading all on display.
One woman went for a gravity-defying self-pouring tea pot, which hung above a stream of flowers that poured into her hat.
Even animals got in on the action – and a well behaved dog was spotted sitting down with a tiny top hat on his head.
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.
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.’
Classic combination: This elegant Royal Ascot Ladies Day racegoer proved sometimes nothing beats black at white
Old school glamour: Several racegoers, including the woman above, chose to add veils to their Royal Ascot headpieces
Blowing a kiss: A cheeky racegoer poses for the camera, left. Right, a racegoer shoes off the detail in her flower hat
Pucker up! This playful hat featured a large pair of bright red lips on the brim – the perfect counterpoint to black and white
Who’s a good boy? A dog put on a tiny top hat for the occasion. Right, Giulia Mio Millinery poses for photographers
Matchy matchy! Co-ordinating red and black looks, left, and a couple dressed in incredible pink ensembles, right
Cheers! Racegoers toasted the start of the third day of Royal Ascot with a glass of fizz at a car park picnic, pictured
Candy coloured accessories: A woman sported a red hat, left, while another chose yellow, right, for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
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.
Time for a bite! Racegoers set up a car boot picnic as they prepared for a day of fun at Royal Ascot this morning
Off they trot! Racegoers on a horse carriage during day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse
On patrol: A policeman lowers his sniffer dog onto the opposite side of the fence as day three gets underway at Royal Ascot
Calm before the storm: Groundsmen move benches in front of the grandstand ahead of day three of Royal Ascot
The sun is shining! After battling the elements yesterday, racegoers look set to enjoy better weather at the course today