Hats of the Royal Ascot

Alan Taylor
June 21, 2018
28 Photos
In Focus

The Royal Ascot is an annual five-day horse-race meeting held on a course outside of London, England, with racehorses competing for nearly $18 million in prizes. It is a major event for both racing and fashion fans, and is regularly attended by Queen Elizabeth II and other royalty. Parts of the racecourse maintain a “top hats and tails” rule for men, while many women dress in eye-catching outfits, often topped by hats that can be described as architectural, whimsical, grandiose, sculptural, or just over-the-top. Today, a collection of photos of some of these millinery miracles, worn by Royal Ascot racegoers over the past few years.

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A racegoer poses for a photograph on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet in Ascot, west of London, England, on June 19, 2018. #

Daniel Leal-Olivas / AFP / Getty

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A woman wears a large hat made of recycled plastic spoons on the second day of Royal Ascot on June 17, 2015. #

Chris Jackson / Getty

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Queen Elizabeth II on the third day of Royal Ascot, June 21, 2018, in Ascot, England. #

Alan Crowhurst / Getty for Ascot Racecourse

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Royal Ascot fashion on display on June 19, 2018. #

Peter Nicholls / Reuters

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A racegoer, photographed before the start of the race on June 20, 2018. #

Paul Childs / Action Images / Reuters

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Jacqueline Appel poses on Ladies' Day at the Royal Ascot on June 21, 2018. #

Daniel Leal-Olivas / AFP / Getty

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Ladies' Day at the Royal Ascot on June 21, 2018. #

Daniel Leal-Olivas / AFP / Getty

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A racegoer wearing creative headgear poses on the second day of the Royal Ascot, June 20, 2018. #

Daniel Leal-Olivas / AFP / Getty

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Racegoers wearing large hats jostle for space on a car on the London Underground as they travel to the Royal Ascot from Waterloo Station on June 21, 2018. #

Kevin Coombs / Reuters

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Sally Tringham, a racegoer, poses during the third day of Royal Ascot, June 21, 2018. #

Leon Neal / Getty

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The Tootsie Rollers pose for a photograph on the second day of the Royal Ascot, June 17, 2015. #

Chris Jackson / Getty

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A racegoer attends Royal Ascot 2017 on June 24. #

Stuart C. Wilson / Getty

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Jackie St. Clair at Royal Ascot on June 16, 2015. #

Star Max / IPx / AP

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A racegoer attends Ladies' Day at the Royal Ascot horse-racing meet on June 22, 2017. #

Daniel Leal-Olivas / AFP / Getty

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A man wears a fuzzy pink top hat at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2018. #

Leon Neal / Getty

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Racegoers attend Royal Ascot on June 22, 2017, in Ascot, England. #

Jack Taylor / Getty

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A racegoer wearing a pheasant hat attends Royal Ascot 2017 on June 21. #

Jack Taylor / Getty

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A racegoer attends Ladies' Day in Ascot on June 22, 2017. #

Daniel Leal-Olivas / AFP / Getty

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Racegoers wear their elaborate hats for Ladies' Day on June 21, 2018. #

Leon Neal / Getty

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Katrin Fahrenbruck attends the third day of Royal Ascot on June 21, 2018. #

Leon Neal / Getty

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Tiffany Rowe models an ornate hat on the third day of the Royal Ascot, June, 19, 2014. #

Alastair Grant / AP

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A racegoer attends Royal Ascot 2017 on June 24. #

Stuart C. Wilson / Getty

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Treacy Pullen poses at the Royal Ascot horse-racing meet on June, 19, 2014. #

Alastair Grant / AP

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A racegoer attends the third day of the Royal Ascot on June 21, 2018. #

Tim Ireland / AP

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A racegoer's aviation-themed hat, photographed on June 23, 2017. #

Toby Melville / Reuters

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A racegoer poses at the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2018. #

Tim Ireland / AP

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A racegoer blows kisses on Ladies' Day 2017 on June 22 in Ascot, England. #

Stuart C. Wilson / Getty

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Apparently, horse races also took place in Ascot, England, on June 20, 2018. #

Alan Crowhurst / Getty for Ascot Racecourse

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