Spectators don colourful ensembles and straw hats as they kick off Henley Royal Regatta 

Glamorous guests donned colourful frocks and traditional suits as they basked in the sunshine on the first day of the Henley Royal Regatta today. 

Ladies were seen arriving in pretty pastel dresses while gentlemen donned traditional blazers and straw hats as they kicked off the first day of rowing in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

The excited spectators could be seen lining the banks of the River Thames in hot sunshine to watch the start of the competition. 

Glamorous guests donned colourful frocks and traditional suits as they basked in the sunshine on the first day of the Henley Royal Regatta today

Ladies were seen arriving in pretty pastel dresses as they kicked off the first day of rowing in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

Ladies were seen arriving in pretty pastel dresses as they kicked off the first day of rowing in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

The dress code varies between clubs, but in the Steward’s enclosure there is a strict suit, tie and no-jeans policy for men, with women required to wear dresses or skirts with a hemline below the knee.

And today the riverside setting is perfect for Pimms and strawberries and cream as youthful rowers tried to protect themselves from the heat and hot sun. 

Old fashioned paddle boats and launches were seen ferying spectators up and down the river to watch proceedings, as supporters prepared to cheer on their favourites from the banks of the river.

The popular sporting event, which was established in 1839, comes hand-in-hand with day of picnics and drinking.  

Spectators armed with straw hats watched closely as the Hentley Royal Regatta opened this afternoon

Spectators armed with straw hats watched closely as the Hentley Royal Regatta opened this afternoon 

Gentlemen donned traditional blazers and straw hats as they lined the banks of the River Thames in hot sunshine to watch the start of the competition

Gentlemen donned traditional blazers and straw hats as they lined the banks of the River Thames in hot sunshine to watch the start of the competition

A rowing team were seen carrying their boat as they prepared for the five-day sporting event

A rowing team were seen carrying their boat as they prepared for the five-day sporting event

Rowing fans will be treated to over 200 races across the five days, which will see Olympic rowers among the competitors. 

Competitors from far flung corners of the globe were competing at the regatta today, with rowers from New Zealand, Australia and the USA all competing for silverware and glory on the river.

The procession of boats streaming down the mile long course on the Thames will be constant throughout the day, with 83 races scheduled to be rowed on the first day.

One rower was seen polishing a boat as she added the finishing touches ahead of the race

One rower was seen polishing a boat as she added the finishing touches ahead of the race

The dress code varies between clubs, but in the Steward's enclosure there is a strict suit, tie and no-jeans policy for men, with women required to wear dresses or skirts with a hemline below the knee

The dress code varies between clubs, but in the Steward’s enclosure there is a strict suit, tie and no-jeans policy for men, with women required to wear dresses or skirts with a hemline below the knee

The dress code varies between clubs, but in the Steward's enclosure there is a strict suit, tie and no-jeans policy for men

The dress code varies between clubs, but in the Steward’s enclosure there is a strict suit, tie and no-jeans policy for men

Rowing fans will be treated to over 200 races across the five days, which will see Olympic rowers among the competitors

Rowing fans will be treated to over 200 races across the five days, which will see Olympic rowers among the competitors

Gentlemen guests, seen, arrived to see the procession of boats streaming down the mile long course on the Thames will be constant throughout the day, with 83 races scheduled to be rowed on the first day

Gentlemen guests, seen, arrived to see the procession of boats streaming down the mile long course on the Thames will be constant throughout the day, with 83 races scheduled to be rowed on the first day

The Henley Regatta comes amid a bumper summer of sport, including the World Cup and Wimbledon. Picutred: Gentlemen attending the race

The Henley Regatta comes amid a bumper summer of sport, including the World Cup and Wimbledon. Picutred: Gentlemen attending the race

A total of 565 boat crews have been entered for this year’s regatta with 111 of those being from abroad.

As with other events in the social calendar, security has been tightened up at Henley, with police warning spectators to be vigilant.

The Henley Regatta comes amid a bumper summer of sport, including the World Cup and Wimbledon. 

Rowing boats at Henley Regatta Henley Royal Regatta, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire

Rowing boats at Henley Regatta Henley Royal Regatta, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire

People wear their finery to enjoy the racing and sunshine on the first day of The Henley Royal Regatta

People wear their finery to enjoy the racing and sunshine on the first day of The Henley Royal Regatta

Two ladies coordinated in their best red frocks as they enjoyed the views at Henley

Two ladies coordinated in their best red frocks as they enjoyed the views at Henley

A couple wearing matching sunhats watched on as the races kicked off

A couple wearing matching sunhats watched on as the races kicked off

People wear their finery to enjoy the racing and sunshine on the first day of The Henley Royal Regatta

People wear their finery to enjoy the racing and sunshine on the first day of The Henley Royal Regatta

A group of schoolboys coordinated in their blue blazers and shirts and green ties

A group of schoolboys coordinated in their blue blazers and shirts and green ties

A trio of happy guests cooled off by the waters as they watched the races commence

A trio of happy guests cooled off by the waters as they watched the races commence

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