• Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, attend Royal Ascot. Getty Images
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, attend Royal Ascot. Getty Images
  • Racegoers pose in the Village Enclosure during Royal Ascot. Getty Images
    Racegoers pose in the Village Enclosure during Royal Ascot. Getty Images
  • Onlookers become emotional as a race nears its finish. Getty Images
    Onlookers become emotional as a race nears its finish. Getty Images
  • The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the races. Getty Images
    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the races. Getty Images
  • Prince William and his wife Kate are pictured arriving at Royal Ascot on Friday. Reuters
    Prince William and his wife Kate are pictured arriving at Royal Ascot on Friday. Reuters
  • Kate wore a belted monochrome polka-dot dress by Alessandra Rich for the occasion. Getty Images
    Kate wore a belted monochrome polka-dot dress by Alessandra Rich for the occasion. Getty Images
  • Racegoers take photos as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge go past in a carriage. Getty Images
    Racegoers take photos as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge go past in a carriage. Getty Images
  • The royal couple made their first appearance at the 2022 race series on Friday. Getty Images
    The royal couple made their first appearance at the 2022 race series on Friday. Getty Images
  • Kate paired her polka-dot dress with a brown flat-brimmed fascinator, decorated with delicate white flowers. Reuters
    Kate paired her polka-dot dress with a brown flat-brimmed fascinator, decorated with delicate white flowers. Reuters
  • Meanwhile, Prince William wore a traditional top hat and tails. AP
    Meanwhile, Prince William wore a traditional top hat and tails. AP
  • The couple led the royal procession as temperatures soared across the UK. Reuters
    The couple led the royal procession as temperatures soared across the UK. Reuters

Royal Ascot fashion: Duchess of Cambridge wears monochrome polka dots on day four


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

Prince William and his wife Kate made a surprise appearance on day four of Royal Ascot on Friday, leading the royal procession as temperatures soared across the UK.

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, 40, chose a belted monochrome polka-dot dress by Alessandra Rich for the occasion, which she paired with a brown flat-brimmed fascinator, decorated with delicate white flowers. She completed the look with drop pearl earrings and neutral make-up.

Prince William kept to tradition, wearing a black top hat and tails as well as an ivory waistcoat and blue patterned tie.

The Duke and Duchess made their first appearance at the race series on Friday, joining other members of the royal family who have been present at the races since they began on Tuesday.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have been in attendance, as well as Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Zara and Mike Tindall.

  • Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are seen during the royal procession on day two of Royal Ascot. Reuters
    Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are seen during the royal procession on day two of Royal Ascot. Reuters
  • Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi ride in a carriage for the royal procession during day two. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
    Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi ride in a carriage for the royal procession during day two. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
  • Sophie, Countess of Wessex, also attends. Reuters
    Sophie, Countess of Wessex, also attends. Reuters
  • Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, left. Getty Images
    Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, left. Getty Images
  • Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arrive in a horse-drawn carriage. AFP
    Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arrive in a horse-drawn carriage. AFP
  • The royal procession enters the parade ring ahead of racing on day two. PA
    The royal procession enters the parade ring ahead of racing on day two. PA
  • Shane Crosse receives a trophy on the podium from Prince Charles and Camilla after winning the 3.40pm Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. Reuters
    Shane Crosse receives a trophy on the podium from Prince Charles and Camilla after winning the 3.40pm Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. Reuters

Queen Elizabeth II will not attend this year’s races, despite having two horses running, due to ongoing mobility issues.

On Tuesday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, was in attendance. Wearing a sharp grey, shin-length morning coat with matching tie, top hat and darker grey trousers, Sheikh Hamdan shook hands with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, as he received the trophy for Coroebus's win in the St James's Palace Stakes.

Royal Ascot is Britain's most valuable horse racing meet, and runs until Saturday. Thursday’s Ladies' Day is thought of as the most glamourous day, with guests dressing to the nines for the occasion.

Hats, fascinators and elaborate headgear galore sit atop fashionably dressed women who attend day three of Britain's most valuable horse racing meet.

It was referred to as Ladies' Day in 1823, after an anonymous poet described Thursday at the races as such, saying "when the women, like angels, look sweetly divine", or so the story goes.

Royal Ascot doesn't officially call it that, though. "Vibrant, celebratory and steeped in tradition, the third day of Royal Ascot, colloquially known as Ladies' Day, is a day to see and be seen," reads a description on its website.

On behalf of the royal family, Zara Tindall, the Princess Royal's daughter and a celebrated equestrian, wore a stylish full-brim green hat by Justine Bradley-Hill, along with a white, puffy sleeved coat dress by Laura Green.

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, was also in attendance on Thursday, wearing full floral attire. Her ankle-length dress sported a V-shaped neckline and she paired it with a bright pink fascinator.

See pictures from Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot 2022

  • Zara Tindall, second from left, Anna Woolhouse, third from left, and Kirsty Gallacher, right, during day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. PA Wire
    Zara Tindall, second from left, Anna Woolhouse, third from left, and Kirsty Gallacher, right, during day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. PA Wire
  • Visitors wear fancy hats as they attend Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot on Thursday. EPA
    Visitors wear fancy hats as they attend Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot on Thursday. EPA
  • It's tradition for women to pull out all the stops with their headgear on Ladies' Day. EPA
    It's tradition for women to pull out all the stops with their headgear on Ladies' Day. EPA
  • A racegoer dons an oversized floral fascinator. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
    A racegoer dons an oversized floral fascinator. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
  • A dramatic black fascinator with pops of bright colour. EPA
    A dramatic black fascinator with pops of bright colour. EPA
  • A racegoer wears baby pink and light blue headgear with lacy detail. EPA
    A racegoer wears baby pink and light blue headgear with lacy detail. EPA
  • This multicoloured hat certainly offered its wearer some shade. EPA
    This multicoloured hat certainly offered its wearer some shade. EPA
  • A tall floral hat catches eyes. EPA
    A tall floral hat catches eyes. EPA
  • There were floral headpieces galore. EPA
    There were floral headpieces galore. EPA
  • Pinks and blues were in abundance. AFP
    Pinks and blues were in abundance. AFP
  • A dramatic white hat with horn-like embellishment. AFP
    A dramatic white hat with horn-like embellishment. AFP
  • A patriotic choice. AFP
    A patriotic choice. AFP
  • A parrot-themed hat.
    A parrot-themed hat.
  • The full bird-themed outfit captures attention. EPA
    The full bird-themed outfit captures attention. EPA
  • A fabulous purple hat adds drama to a matching outfit. AFP
    A fabulous purple hat adds drama to a matching outfit. AFP
  • An oversized green hat. EPA
    An oversized green hat. EPA
  • Flowers and butterflies in bright pink. AFP
    Flowers and butterflies in bright pink. AFP
  • Bright colours add to a vibrant day at the races. AFP
    Bright colours add to a vibrant day at the races. AFP
  • Some guests opted for pale pastels. AFP
    Some guests opted for pale pastels. AFP
  • A racegoer wearing an interesting hat during day three of Royal Ascot.
    A racegoer wearing an interesting hat during day three of Royal Ascot.
  • Racegoers during day three of Royal Ascot.
    Racegoers during day three of Royal Ascot.
  • Grand floral attire. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
    Grand floral attire. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
  • Standing out in bright blue. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
    Standing out in bright blue. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
  • A sunshine yellow iteration. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
    A sunshine yellow iteration. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
  • More pastels on show. Getty Images for Royal Ascot
    More pastels on show. Getty Images for Royal Ascot
  • Stylish in shocking pink. PA Wire
    Stylish in shocking pink. PA Wire
  • A pastel pink number with feathers. PA Wire
    A pastel pink number with feathers. PA Wire
  • Women co-ordinate their outfits and hats. Getty Images for Royal Ascot
    Women co-ordinate their outfits and hats. Getty Images for Royal Ascot
  • Going old school. Getty Images for Royal Ascot
    Going old school. Getty Images for Royal Ascot
  • More unusual headgear is seen. Getty Images for Royal Ascot
    More unusual headgear is seen. Getty Images for Royal Ascot
Updated: June 21, 2022, 8:01 AM