Fashion at Royal Ascot: From Princess Diana to Kate Middleton
Royal Ascot, one of England’s most revered events, takes place each June. The week of horse races are attended by the King and Queen, along with other Royal family members and guests, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days. It’s also one of Britain’s most fashion-forward events as attendees show up in their finest clothes, hats — and of course — shoes.
The event is known for its specific dress code, too. While each Royal Ascot enclosure has a different dress code, a hat, headpiece or fascinator is encouraged along with a jacket and collared shirt, for instance. Plus, socks covering the ankle must be worn when wearing a full length trouser, according to the Ascot Racecourse. In addition, strapless, off-the-shoulder and Bardot dresses are not be permitted.
Through the years, the Royal Ascot has a been a place for the Royals to show off their best style, with the late Princess Diana leading the pack as the most fashionable. During the ’80s and early ’90s, Princess Diana, wowed in countless colorful looks, which always included a modest pair of matching pumps.
In 1981, she made her Royal Ascot debut wearing ruffled-neck, printed dress with pearls, white tights and low, white pumps.
Fast forward to 1988, Princess Diana wore black-and-white, capped-toed heels, a white dress with black polkadots, designed by Victor Edelstein, and a matching hat designed by Frederick Fox.
For Meghan Markle’s first Royal Ascot appearance in 2018, meanwhile, the former royal wore a white belted shirt-style dress from Givenchy, paired with simple pointy black leather pumps and a sculptural black and white hat featuring a translucent trim from famous Irish milliner Philip Treacy.
Kate Middleton has also been a Royal Ascot standout through the years. Last year, she made a statement in red, wearing a custom dress from Alexander McQueen with pointed red pumps from Jennifer Chamandi.
The Ascot Racecourse was first founded by Queen Anne in 1711 and the June races officially became a Royal week in 1911. Take a look to see the best shoes through the years.