Queen Anne first saw the potential for a racecourse at Ascot, then called East Cote. Whilst out riding in 1711, she came upon an area of open heath, not far from Windsor Castle, that looked an ideal place for “horses to gallop at full stretch”. The first race meeting held at Ascot took place on Saturday 11 August 1711. Her Majesty’s Plate, worth 100 guineas and open to any horse, mare or gelding over the age of six, was the inaugural event. - Ascot Racecourse
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| Royal Ascot, 2011 |
I have been fascinated by the hats worn at the Royal Ascot races since I saw Cecil Beaton's creations for My Fair Lady. Who can forget Eliza Doolittle's fabulous faux pas? "Come on, Dover, move yer bloomin' arse!"
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| The incomparable Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle |
This year's hats are fascinating as always, starting with this Marie Antoinette-like creation:
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Anneka Tanakas Svenka in a Louise Mariette head piece
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More Anneka
Just can't get enough of Anneka
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| Belinda Stradwick, dahlings |
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| Isabelle Kristiensen |
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| Incredible peacock hat |
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| More peacock hat |
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Mrs Florence Claridge in Daisy Hat
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| Veronica Veronina in a Victoria Grant hat |
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| Tracy Rose in a windmill hat |
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| Another view of Tracy |
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| Spot the bird |
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| Wooden sticks and horses |
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| Pink butterfly hat |
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| Pink rose hat |
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| Classic car |
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| Milliner David Shilling |
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| Trio of hats |
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| Julian Fellowes (script writer of Downton Abbey) and wife Emma Joy Kitchener |
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| Daffodil hat |
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| QE2 |
I must say, I am loving the Victoria Grant hat!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! My hats are so tame, I'd definitely have to shop for Ascot. Perhaps the daffodil. I'd be so busy packing the proper picnic hamper, I'd probably forget my hat!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input, ladies. I am in love with that peacock hat!
ReplyDeleteThe hat that I had admired right away was the one worn by Ms. Kristiensen since it reminded me of Audrey's style from My Fair Lady! I also noticed that Mrs Florence Claridge has worn quite a few standouts in the past! She could never be accused of being a wallflower!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this post - wonderful pix - thank you!
ReplyDeleteSome of those hats belong in the theater of the Absurd ! I would wear Emma Joy's hat in a moment...lovely !!!
ReplyDeleteNothing can top the Eliza Doolittle hat in "My Fair Lady" The WOMAN wearing the hat, not the HAT wearing the woman is my style !