One more royal and few more royal-ish hats to enjoy today at the races:
Zenouska Mowatt
Lady Charles Spencer-Churchill
Lady Sarah Keswick
Lady Madeleine Lloyd Webber
Lady Laura Meade
I spoke a little yesterday about the atmosphere of Royal Ascot, something that really left an impression on me. I met so many lovely people, some offering a quick hat compliment, others offering to take a photos for each other, others noticing my accent and engaging in conversation about how a Canadian finds her way to Ascot and asking about my impressions. Despite there being several thousand people in attendance each day, there were always a handful that you found yourself running into multiple times and by the end of the day, the jovial interaction felt like running into friends. I saw other racegoers team up with strangers to spend a fun day together, and found myself sharing a taxi back to my lodgings with a lovely couple who lived nearby. While the compliments about hats flowed freely, it was more than just about the hats and fashion- it was almost a spirit of fun friendship that blossoms. It’s unlike anything else I’ve experienced.
I was honoured to be the guest of a dear friend of Royal Hats for Day 2, which we’ll write about together after we both travel home and catch our breath! My hat for Day 2 was an unexpected collaboration- while looking through my friend and colleague Katie Vale’s millinery samples, I came across a lilac sinamay button percher with lovely silver veil. I knew it was a good match for my dress and with hot weather in the forecast, would be a light and easy to wear. I made a hand dyed purple silk rose and leaves the week before Ascot with my flower tutor Svetlana Faulkner and was very happy with how it worked with the hat. It’s a smaller scale design than I would usually prefer to wear but it was a wonderful choice for the day- the veil sparkled in the sun, it was so comfortable to wear and I had many compliments. I loved the hat so much, I’ve purchased it from Katie and am taking it home with me!
There were many wonderful hats worn on Day 2, I can’t wait to see in the comments the designs that stood out to you!
Images from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
I can understand feeling more comfortable in larger hats, but this smaller one still worked so well on you, HatQueen! Well worth the money, and yet another one that puts some royal hats to shame.
I, too, am a bit surprised at how friendly you seemed to find most people as I would imagine in that size of crowd, it would be easy to just not associate with anyone you didn’t know or come with. I’m glad it was a more hospitable atmosphere than many of us think it is.
Chiming in late here, but I loved your account of the Ascot experience. I would never have guessed that people would be so friendly — it seems as though it would be the kind of event where people might associate only with those in their own set.
Interested in your collaboration with Katie Vale — would it be typical for a customer to supply her own flower, or was this something special she did for a friend? In any case, it’s a match made in heaven!
That silver veil was perfect to bring all the elements of your beautiful hat together! Sounds like a wonderful experience making friends at Ascot!
Thank you all so much for your very kind compliments about my hat.
Anther beautiful hat. I love the blend of colours.
Another beauty matched by your happy smile!
This hat is even better than the first one, unbelievable, simply perfect! Congrats!
This hat is even better than the first one, unbelievable, simply perfect! Congrats!
I really envy you the trip to Royal Ascot. Hope every day there is magical!
Another stunning flower!
Loved your hats this week, especially with your hand made flower!