Royal Ascot Ladies Day is a washout as revellers battle the elements
You can stand under my umbrella: Ladies Day racegoers at Royal Ascot beat the gloom in bright colours (and brollies!) as rain threatens to put a dampener on the most glamorous day of the festival
- Royal Ascot revellers didn’t let the bad weather dampen their spirits as they kicked off Ladies Day in style
- Women whipped out their umbrellas as they arrived at the racecourse in eye-catching dresses and hats
- 12,000 revellers have been given tickets for each day of the five-day race meet as part of a pilot scheme
Royal Ascot revellers didn’t let the bad weather dampen their spirits as they kicked off Ladies Day in style.
Elegant women dressed to the nines in high heels and flowing summer frocks whipped out their umbrellas as they arrived at the Berkshire racecourse for the third day of the five-day meet.
Typically the most glamorous day of the festival, Ladies Day has been hit by rain after the balmy summer sunshine enjoyed by racegoers at the start of the week turned to thunderstorms and downpours overnight.
Not to be put off, racegoers hoisted their skirts up out of the puddles and smiled at waiting photographers as they made their way into the grounds.
A total of 12,000 revellers have been granted tickets to each day of Royal Ascot as part of a list of pilot events taking place before the possible lifting of all lockdown restrictions next month.
Brushing off the bad weather! Women put on showstopping displays in colourful outfits as they arrived for Ladies Day
Braving the rain! These racegoers didn’t want to let an umbrella get in the way of a good outfit as they posed for photos
All out glamour: A group of women wearing chic summer ensembles stop for a photo on their way into Royal Ascot
Candy-coloured creations! Charlotte Hawkins gives a twirl as she arrives (left). Right, a woman stuns in pink
Bright and beautiful! The Tootsie Rollers brought a splash of colour to a grey day in their vintage-inspired ensembles
Their crowning glory! Racegoers step out in towering hats and eye-catching ensembles for the third day at Royal Ascot
Pink ladies! Two women show off their cotton candy-coloured dresses and matching accessories on their arrival at Ascot
Printed perfection! Three women showcase an explosion of uplifting colour and patterns at Ladies Day
An explosion of colour: Every colour of the rainbow was on display as racegoers arrived at the Berkshire racecourse today
Attention to detail: This pretty face covering was the perfect addition to a pastel coloured ensemble at the races
Belles of the ball! Strictly pro Janette Manrara (left) arrived at Royal Ascot with Emma Weymouth, Marchioness of Bath
More is more! This elaborate feather and butterfly creation helped one glamorous racegoer stand out from the crowd
The weather today is a far cry from the scorching sunshine enjoyed by the racegoers lucky enough to attend Ascot on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Royal Family have turned out in force this week, with Princess Anne, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Sophie Wessex, Prince Edward and Zara and Mike Tindall all making an appearance.
However the Queen has been notably absent this week, missing Royal Ascot for only the second time in 69 years
Her racing manager revealed on Tuesday that Her Majesty will be watching the action on TV at home but is hopeful of attending the festival – usually a highlight of her calendar – later this week.
Racing manager John Warren told Radio 4: ‘Obviously the Queen would love to attend, as you know she’s fanatic about racing, watching racing and breeding horses, and has been going to Ascot all of her adult life. So, it’s a shame to miss an event.
True blue: This soft shade of blue perfectly compliments the mint green of this woman’s outfit
Twice as nice! Glamorous women arrive at Ladies’ Day, dressed to the nine in soft summer dresses
Still plenty to smile about! Racegoers put on their finest dresses for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
Making an entrance: One woman dressed in a striking scarlet ensemble didn’t let the rain ruin her morning
Pretty in pink! Once again one of the day’s most popular colours, racegoers arrived in pastels and vibrant hues
Little touches: A woman chose a sweet jockey-themed face mask as she arrived for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot this morning
Stylish revellers still pulled out all the fashion stops for Ladies Day – despite the wet weather
Red alert! One woman turned heads in her eye-catching creation (pictured) which matched her scarlet dress
Strike a pose! Three women stop for photographers on their way into Royal Ascot this morning
‘The plan at the moment is to see how it goes towards the latter part of the week and if the Queen’s able to come because she’s got runners, then, fingers crossed, it will happen.’
He added that the monarch was ‘fanatic’ about horse racing, and called her energy levels ‘incredible’ despite her age.
He said: ‘It’s remarkable. The Queen’s energy levels are incredible. She’s 95. She went down to the G7 this week, and trundled back on the train in the middle of the night and the energy will be raised higher again for a week like Ascot.’
Five times the fun! The Tootsie Rollers arrive in their signature vintage-inspired looks for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
A chic all black ensemble was finished with an elegant wrap (left). Right, one man battles a blustery gust of wind
Girls’ day out! Two women wearing shades of pink and red flash wide smiles as they arrive for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
Women clutch umbrellas as they wait outside the racecourse ahead of the third day of the racing festival