The first day of races this year also saw hats worn on a few noble British heads. The Duchess of Rutland topped her wonderfully fitted 1950s-esque coat with a percher hat trimmed with an oversize pale blue rose studded with net tulle veil. The hat is the “Full Bloom” design by Edwina Ibbotson Millinery.
Lady Carolyn Warren, wife of the Queen’s racing manager John Warren (and daughter of her former racing manager Lord Porchester) standing just behind the Earl of Wessex on the left below, wore a wide flat brimmed hat in pale pink, lavishly trimmed with curling bows and what looks like a mix of crin and feathers.
The Duke of York and Lord Vestey arrived in the Queen’s carriage, both in black silk traditional top hats
Turning our attention to non-royal heads at Ascot today, numerous beautiful designs that caught my eye including:
ITV’s Charlotte Hawkins in a leaf green Suzannah dress with navy veiled Edwina Ibbotson button percher hat
Ascot Ambassador Natalie Rushdie’s black Catherine Walker hat with cartwheel brim overlaid in feathers
Irish milliner Jennifer Wynne in large cream upswept saucer with pink floral trim of her own design
A Petershams Millinery supplies staffer in a black straw disk hat brilliantly self-decorated in gold constellations
UK-based Australian milliner Lisa Tan in a navy textured straw boater of her own design with trailing ribbons
Lucy Verasamy’s graphic black and white Vivien Sheriff feather trimmed saucer
Nazer Bullen in Edwina Ibbotson’s large picture hat with brim of silk apple blossoms
Ascot Ambassador Natalie Rushdie’s black Catherine Walker hat with cartwheel brim overlaid in feathers
Irish milliner Jennifer Wynne in large cream upswept saucer with pink floral trim of her own design
A Petershams Millinery supplies staffer in a black straw disk hat brilliantly self-decorated in gold constellations
UK-based Australian milliner Lisa Tan in a navy textured straw boater of her own design with trailing ribbons
Lucy Verasamy’s graphic black and white Vivien Sheriff feather trimmed saucer
Nazer Bullen in Edwina Ibbotson’s large picture hat with brim of silk apple blossoms
We end Day 1 with racegoer Edite Ligere in a fantastically theatrical navy hat with bows and blue ostrich plumes by Sarah Marshall for John Boyd.
That’s a wrap from Day 1! Were there any other hats at the races today that captured your heart?
Photos from Getty and social media as indicated
Royal Hats 