Ladies Day at Royal Ascotgot off to a sweltering start this morning with the temperature reaching28C – and it’s set to soar even higher into the afternoon.
Many glamorous racegoerswisely accessorised with fans to keep cool in the baking sun as theydescended on the Berkshire racecourse for the third day of the meet.
But others defied the scorching heat inelaborate millinery, long sleeved blazers and layers of lace as they attended the prestigious occasion.
Classic floral sundresses, extravagant headpieces and billowing dresses were also all on displayas hundreds of well-heeled revellersstepped out for a day of fun in the sun.
Unsurprisingly, hats where the focus of many racegoers’ outfits, with flowers, feathers and beading on show.
Royal Ascot, known as the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar,will welcome hundreds of thousands of punters during the five-day meet.
Many are likely hoping to catch a glimpse of the Royal Familyas they turn out in force for the annual occasion, with the King and Queen leading the traditional carriageprocession, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary.
The tradition – which marks the official start of the day – began duringthe reign of George IV in 1825 when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington.
They’re prepared! A group of glamorous ladies show off their handheld electric fans as they arrive at Ascot
Temperatures may be soaring but early arrivals at Ascot weren’t deterred from donning some very elaborate hats
As one of the highlights of the racing calendar, the prestigious festival is just as famous for its fashion as it is for its races – and today, the full spectrum of race day style was on show as revellers arrived at Ascot’s most glamorous day.
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.
Stylish racegoers at today’s event turned the racecourse into a sea of vibrant outfits as they donned bright prints to ensure they stood out from the crowd.
Many of those arriving at the main spectators’ enclosure opted for coordinating outfits with their friends too.
Whilst no dress code rules apply in the Windsor Enclosure, although the majority of guests choose to dress up regardless, a strict dress code operates across the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures.
Hats are a must in both Royal enclosures. Alternatively, a headpiece or ‘hatinator’ with a minimum base diameter of 4 inches (10cm) is also acceptable.
Dresses must be knee length or longer and forget spaghetti straps – all shoulders must be a minimum width of 1 inch (2.5cm).
Hot pink! This racegoer looked stylish in a fuchsia dress and matching accessories
Yellow there! Racegoers bring the sunshine in yellow dresses as they attend the third day of the festival
Keeping cool: Racegoers use paper fans to beat the hot temperatures at Ladies Day
Making the most of the sunshine!Racegoers sunbathe on the grass at Ascot racecourse
A couple in matching pink ensembles keep cool with an electric handheld fan at Royal Ascot
Relaxing: A group of ladies sit down while taking in the racing action during a sunny day
Revellers take a break from the action to sunbathe and sit down in the hot temperatures
Relaxing in the sunshine! Ladies lie down on the grass to catch a tan during Royal Ascot
A group of women sit down after taking in the racing action of Royal Ascot
Fans were the best accessory of the day with many racegoers opting for them in the heat
Cheers! A racegoer celebrates during day three of Royal Ascot
A racegoer cools down with a fan on day three of Royal Ascot
On a very sunny afternoon, many people wisely accessorised with fans to keep cool in the baking sun
Racegoers use fans to keep themselves cool as temperatures are set to rise to 30C at Ascot
Racegoers shelter from the sun under an umbrella at Ascot racecourse on Ladies Day
The fan proved to be the perfect accessory for these fashionable racegoers
This racegoerkeeps cool in the heat with a handy fan when attending Royal Ascot
The cream of the crop! TV presenterCharlotte Hawkins stunned in a monochrome dress featuring a giant bow
Georgia Toffolo andhusband James Watt attend the third day of Royal Ascot together
Gabriel Jagger and Jerry Hall attend the third day of Royal Ascot with one another
Nice in neon! Two friends make sure to stand out from the crowd in bright yellow and vibrant green dresses
Bold and beautiful: These revellers opted for unique headpieces to stand out from the crowd
Flower power! A woman showcases her elegant and bold floral headpiece at Royal Ascot
Floaty fashion: A racegoer showcases her elegant dress featuring a billowing skirt
Hat’s the spirit! This woman turned heads with an enormous floral themed headpiece
Monochrome magic! This racegoer opted for an eye-catching monochrome ensemble when attending the annual event
Hat’s off! This glamorous racegoer commanded attention when attending Royal Ascot this year
Double trouble! Two friends opt for equally vibrant outfits as they visit the Berkshire racecourse
Golden girl! A woman shows off her curves in a metallic dress and matching hat
Peter Phillips and his NHS girlfriend Harriet Sperling attended Ascot on Thursday for another day at the races
King Charles and Queen Camilla once again led the royals arriving at the Berkshire racecourse
Princess Anne and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, joined the royals in the fourth carriage
Zara and Mike Tindall also looked ever the loved-up couple as they arrived at Ascot today arm-in-arm
Princess Beatrice also opted for shades of yellow, adding a glamorous netted fascinator as she rode in the third carriage
Strapless, off-the-shoulder and one shoulder items are also banned in the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures.
Shorts of any kind are not permitted. But having been included in the dress code since 1971, trouser suits remain a popular choice – although they mustn’t be mismatched.
From 2017 onwards, jumpsuits have also been accepted as Ascot worthy, while men must stick to black dress shoes worn with ankle socks, but there are no footwear specifications for women.
On Wednesday, the Prince of Wales joined the King and Queen as the Royal Family turned out in force for the second day of the festival.
Arriving at the annual occasion, Prince William, 42, sat beside Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud, a member of the ruling royal family ofSaudi Arabia, and opposite Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, as they made their way to the racecourse by carriage.
His appearance in the royal procession came after the Princess of Wales pulled out of attending the prestigious five-day meet at the last minute as she continues to ‘find the right balance’ following her battle with cancer.
Racegoers had been hoping to catch a glimpse of Kate as William was named as one of the figures awarding race prizes during day two of the festival.
Ascot officials had announced in a published list at 12pm that the Princess was due to be with William in the second carriage in the royal procession – which is marking its 200th anniversary this year.
Charlotte Hawkins and Mark Heyes attend the third day of Royal Ascot
Giddy up glamour! Revellers showcase their fashionable ensembles at Ladies Day
Matchy matchy! This pair coordinated their stylish looks as they arrived at Ladies Day
Rainbow dream: A pair of ladies don colourful frocks and flamboyant hats to Ascot
Strike a pose! A duo of friends pose for a selfie as they attend Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
Ready for the racing action:Racegoers on day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire
Hat’s glamorous! A racegoer sports a statement headpiece complete with feathers and beads
Red hot! A beaming woman sports a shimmering scarlet dress for the third day of Royal Ascot
Hat’s the ticket! The sweltering start to the day didn’t stop racegoers from wearing their most glamorous headpieces
Working it! A lady poses up a storm as she takes a selfie during the Ladies Day celebrations
Smile! A couple pose for a photograph while at Royal Ascot’s Day Three in Berkshire
Looking good! Pairs of racegoers show off their outfits as they smile for a selfie
Umbrellas blown away by a gust of wind on day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse
Alongside hot temperatures, it was also a windy day at Ascot. Pictured,Umbrellas blown away by a gust of wind on day three of Royal Ascot
A racegoer holds an inflatable horse as she attends Royal Ascot on Ladies Day
Racegoers take a seat on day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse
Racegoers attend Royal Ascot on Ladies Day in Ascot
Racegoers enjoy a snack while watching the racing action at Royal Ascot
But less than half an hour later, Kensington Palace confirmed just before 12.30pm that Kate would not be attending – and a revised carriage list was published by Ascot.
MailOnline understands the Princess was ‘disappointed’ not to be in attendance ‘but she has to find the right balance as she fully returns to public facing engagements’.
However, Kate’s mother Carole Middleton did attend today – alongside her daughter-in-law Alizee Thevenet, the wife of Kate’s brother James Middleton.
The 43-year-old Princess has been making a gradual return to public duties since it was announced in January that she was in remission from cancer.
But in the past week she has attended three high-profile events – Trooping the Colour, the annual Order of the Garter service and a visit to a V&A storage facility in London.
The King and Queen were joined at Wednesday’s event by Zara and Mike Tindall, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Charles also hosted Lady Sarah Chatto, the daughter of his late aunt Princess Margaret and a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II. She was joined on the fourth carriage with her artist husband, Daniel Chatto.
Despite her closeness to Her late Majesty, Lady Sarah is known for keeping a low profile, and while she’s attended Ascot in the past, she’s not regularly seen with the royal family, aside from a handful of key events.
The King and Queen, both fans of racing, were also joined by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
