eld from June 17 to 21, 2025, Royal Ascot once again proved itself to be the social crown jewel of the British summer season. King Charles III and Queen Camilla headlined each day’s traditional Royal Procession, riding in horse-drawn carriages from Windsor Castle to the Ascot Racecourse. Despite his ongoing cancer treatment, King Charles made a point of attending daily – a gesture underscoring his commitment to royal tradition and public engagement. Queen Camilla, ever poised, accompanied him each day, fresh off events like the Order of the Garter ceremony and Trooping the Colour.

The opening day (June 17) saw Princess Anne and her son Peter Phillips (accompanied by partner Harriet Sperling) join the royal convoy, alongside author Anthony Horowitz, invited in support of Camilla’s Queen’s Reading Room literary initiative. Lunch at Windsor Castle brought together figures such as Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud, Lady Sarah Keswick, and Camilla’s sister Annabel Elliot.

Later in the week, the King turned the event into a full-blown royal reunion. On Gold Cup Day (June 19), Princess Anne, Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward (Duke of Edinburgh), and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh all joined the parade. Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, as well as Zara and Mike Tindall, followed in later carriages. Notably, Prince William attended solo earlier in the week, as Princess Catherine was still recuperating from cancer treatment and opted out of public duties for now.

Outside the royal family, the guest list sparkled with celebrity and high society names. Attendees included Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer (nieces of Princess Diana), satirist Rory Bremner, trainers like Sir Mark Prescott, and Nicky Henderson. Even in prize ceremonies, A-listers made appearances: Joseph Fiennes, Jerry Hall, and pop icon Chesney Hawkes handed out trophies to winning jockeys and owners.

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Fashion Highlights

Royal Ascot 2025 proved once again that it’s not just about horses – it’s about haute couture. Hats were the true stars of the show, with towering fascinators and dramatic wide-brimmed creations dominating the lawns. The Royal Enclosure’s strict dress code served as both boundary and inspiration for sartorial creativity.

On Day 2, Queen Camilla made a striking appearance in a vibrant silk dress by Anna Valentine, complemented by an emerald-green hat designed by Philip Treacy. Adding a touch of regal history, she wore a never-before-seen emerald and diamond brooch featuring a teardrop detail – a piece once belonging to Queen Elizabeth II. One of the oldest jewels in the royal collection, the brooch was originally crafted by Garrard for Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck. After passing through several hands – including a scandalous detour to the Countess of Kilmorey – it was reclaimed by Queen Mary in 1910 for £10,000 to preserve it within the royal family. ****

King Charles III maintained his refined look in a light grey morning suit, echoing the ensemble he wore the day before. While consistent in cut, the choice subtly reinforced his signature blend of tradition and personal style.

Princess Beatrice dazzled in a yellow floral Monique Lhuillier dress; Zara Tindall turned heads with a black-and-white Laura Green outfit and a Juliette Botterill striped hat. Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, drew nostalgic admiration by re-wearing a polka-dot Catherine Walker dress.

The Spencer twins, Eliza and Amelia, paid tribute to Princess Diana by channeling her iconic 1980s monochrome Ascot look. They wore coordinated black-and-white outfits from The Fold London and matching hats, earning them praise across fashion media.

The color of the season? Butter yellow, seen on Carole Middleton, accessories, and garments across the board.

The Ascot Lookbook 2025, curated by designer Daniel W. Fletcher, featured themes like:

• The Archive Edit (vintage-inspired revival looks)
• Best of British (celebrating UK labels)
• International Edit (highlighting multicultural fashion, including kilts)
• Prints & Patterns (from florals to stripes to polka dots)

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From Heritage to Charity

The Royal Ascot aligned closely with royal traditions and the seasonal flow of British high society – following right after Trooping the Colour and the Garter Ceremony.

Guests from finance, fashion, politics, and aristocracy mingled under the summer sun. Royals, international elites, and members of the public shared the stands – united by a passion for sport, heritage, and spectacle.

Increasingly, Ascot also serves as a platform for charity and education through Ascot Racecourse Supports. Key initiatives included:

• Free entry for over 900 local schoolchildren on Schools Day, with hands-on activities and learning experiences
• An exhibition of hats created by young millinery students
• A community-built “Dream Horse” sculpture made from recycled materials
• City Harvest’s anti-food waste campaign on closing day

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The Britannia Stakes charity race raised up to £200,000 for causes like Prostate Cancer UK, Missing People, and Racing to School. Frontline workers received heavily discounted tickets as a token of appreciation.

Royal Ascot 2025 lived up to its reputation as a jewel in Britain’s social crown. Over five days, it seamlessly blended top-tier sport, regal tradition, cutting-edge fashion, and social impact. Whether it was the King’s pastels, Camilla’s brooches, the soaring hats, or the roar of the stands – Ascot captured the imagination of a global audience.

As thousands joined in the final-day singing of “Land of Hope and Glory” and “Rule, Britannia!” at the Bandstand, the atmosphere was one of unity, pride, and pageantry – a reminder that Royal Ascot is not merely an event, but an enduring British institution.

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