The royal pair dressed elegantly in black and white for their first visit to the famed horse races, where Queen Elizabeth was missing for the fourth day in a row.
The Royal Ascot on Friday, June 17, was a wonderfully bright — albeit scorching — day, with Kate Middleton and Prince William making their debut at the annual Berkshire horse racing event. The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge were dressed to impress, with Kate looking stunning in a black-and-white polka dot dress with a stunning matching hat, and William looking dapper in his black top hat and tails. For the fourth day in a row, Queen Elizabeth was unable to attend one of her favourite events.
As they arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, Kate and William waved to their adoring admirers before leading the rest of the royal family in the lavish parade. Kate accessorised her stunning gown with diamond earrings and tear-drop pearls, turning attention in the process. And, despite the fact that the dress code at Royal Ascot was eased owing to the oppressive heat – men were permitted to remove their coats and ties! – William maintained his traditional attire.
Even more striking was Kate’s dress, which was inspired by Princess Diana’s polka dot perfection at the 1988 Royal Ascot, as seen here. Princess Diana’s own niece, Lady Amelia Spencer, wore a modern variation on the gown, so Kate wasn’t the only royal who opted to mimic the late icon.
The Queen, who has reputedly never missed a Royal Ascot race throughout her reign, with the exception of a pandemic-closed event in 2020, may still attend tomorrow, June 18. The Platinum Jubilee-celebrating monarch is frequently seen at horse races cheering on her own horses, which have won a total of 24 races!
She was, however, allowed to make a speech at the start of the races on Tuesday, June 14, in which she welcomed guests and thanked the racecourse for planting new oak trees in her honour. The statement added, “I have been extremely appreciative for the ongoing compassion given to me by the racing community.” “During my Platinum Jubilee year, I was pleased to discover that Ascot Racecourse and the Crown Estate had planted seventy oak trees in Windsor Great Park, each of which is tied to a local school, in support of The Queen’s Green Canopy programme.”
