Between June 19 and June 22 the world discusses jockeys and the guests’ hats at Royal Ascot.
Every year horse race fans look forward to Royal Ascot although the competition itself gets less attention than its guests. Traditionally the opening ceremony brings together the elite and the British Royal Family. This year the race was attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles of Wales with his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, with his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Eugenie of York, Princess Beatrice of York, Anne, Princess Royal, Zara Tindall, and other members of the Royal Family. The event was also attended by the Dutch royal couple, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.
Royal Ascot suggests a strict dress code for the guests: men are supposed to wear a black or grey suit with a vest and a necktie, while ladies have to wear dresses an inch above the knee or lower and a mandatory hat. Headwear gives the guests a chance to redirect the media’s attention from the Royal Family. Aristocrats choose hats not a lot more eccentric than their usual ones, while the guests may let their imagination run wild. This year the trend favoured flowers, feathers, and, of course, equestrian-themed decorations.
Written by Polina Vorobyova
Translated by Tony Savosin
