Bizarre and beautiful: the best outfits at Royal Ascot 2024

Every year the royals and racegoers of Ascot bring out their best outfits (and hats) to make a statement. We look at those outrageous choices as well as the best dressed at the event. Carol Kennelly, pictured, is an award-winning hat designer who certainly caused a stir with her picturesque creation.

As Hello magazine tells us, this year, Royal Ascot unveiled its first-ever 'Fashion Bible.' No more guessing what goes and what doesn't at one of the biggest sorting/fashion events in the British calendar!

It was put together by British fashion designer Daniel Fletcher and is "to give attendees an inspirational fashion guideline that's appropriate for all Ascot enclosures." In the photo Inga Kovalerova going for a cherry blossom/bird nesting duo.

After all, as the name suggests, one of the most attractive things about Royal Ascot is... the Royals! The King and Queen arrived by carriage with Camilla choosing an electric blue to add to the colourful day's choices.

Their Royal Highnesses returned to watch their horse in the race a few days later. Queen Camilla looks unsure under her feathery lampshade. Or is she questioning her husband's colourful choice of baby pink, navy blue and grey?

They returned the following day in more subtle outfits, with Camilla adorning hers with her enormous epink topaz demi-parure necklace and earrings.

The daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella (56th in the line of succession to the British throne) accompanied Anne, the Princess Royal (and King Charles' sister) on the carriage as they rode to the event. Together, they were a mesh of a lot of colours and patterns but individually they looked stylish.

Her Royal Highness Catherine, Princess of Wales, did not attend Royal Ascot but it was wonderful to see her parents attending all smiles and being so warmly welcomed by all around them. Of course, they were especially fond of their son-in-law, Prince William.

All smiles from Wills too, despite not having Kate by his side - however, the Princess is likely at home recovering and healing in her own time.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, tends to go for the light colours and floral patterns anyway, so this particular event was a perfect opportunity to get creative. The mesh arms added a modern and light touch.

The late Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter and her husband went warmly hugging and kissing their way through the royals, excited and joyous to see all out and about in the sunshine.

Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi matched in a light pink on the second day of the event. We love the Princess' headband - a more modern touch to the bulky hat.

The York Princess also pulled it out the bag for her return on the fourth day of the racing event. Contrasting with her green outfit, she opted for an asymmetrical design, but stayed fresh and glamorous at the same time.

Nothing bulky about Princess Eugenie's hat! Streamlined and leaving her face hidden at times, the wide-rimmed shallow headpiece worked well with her mint green dress - with her shoulders on display!

There were a lot of sharp lines and also a lot of soft floral. Anouska Lancaster went for floral - and sequins. It certainly attracted attention.

It's that time again where colour splashes onto the racecourses at Ascot. This year there has been a wave of bold tones and exaggerated head toppers! Take this one for example... it was a head-turner.

TV personality and model, Rosie Tapner, attended day four of Royal Ascot 2024. Her natural beauty somewhat hid under the extravagant side-bowl of pink flowers, but she made it work.

Another side headpiece was used to adorn Tamara Holmgren's floral outfit. We can't help but think a little water in there would really bring the design to life.

English TV presenter and model Louise Roe went for black and white and nailed it. The hat was a sight to behold and this shot is priceless.

Also worth mentioning is this racegoer in a splash of vibrant pink. The colour works with the floristry at the event but the style chosen is very modern with her choice of hat certainly worth noting.

Of course, many of the hats at Royal Ascot are works of art, like this one, worn by a member of the public. Metallic and meandering, the design slithered right out of her head!

Not all works of art were so successful, however, and this punter went all out with her yellow spike-balls and diamond-encrusted butterfly sunglasses. It's floral-gone-foul.

There is perhaps a reason we don't often see the mix of pink cowboy, oversized pink feathers, boas and gigantic golden chains.

We can't help but feel this attendee chose a spiky head piece so that others do not get too close in the enclosure, giving her space to watch the races with her personal space in tact!

Anything goes at Royal Ascot (except sneakers and shorts of course!) and this lady showed creativity in bundles. Adorning herself with love hearts and feathers, how would she not be on this list?

Another cherry blossom-inspired hat. Could you call it a hat? Or a head-cage?

These two ladies went for strong colors and gold. The artistic sunglasses and croquembouche head-toppers added to the confusion of their outfits.

In all honesty, we cannot find where this hat stops and finishes. The oversized feathers are impressive, though, but heavy, no doubt.

This attendee got the colours right however, the shape does remind one of an over-turned tent.

Sometimes simple is best, like Tv presenter Charlotte Hawkins, who chose an all red outfit with matching hat. classic lines and a classic colour. Winner.

So that more or less summarises Royal Ascot 2024. It was time for everyone to head home, full of bubbles, Pimms and likely with less cash than they started. This particular racegoer perhaps needed to beat the crowds so designed her own helicopter-hat to whisk her away. What a sight that would be.

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