Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot is the heart and soul of England’s biggest flat racing meeting. The day is a celebration of the aristocratic origins of the race, and has developed into an important fashion and social event in its own right.

The Ascot Gold Cup

Ladies Day is organised around the running of the Ascot Gold Cup, the oldest Group One race at the Royal meeting, and the biggest English flat race outside of the Classics. The race attracts widespread media attention and gives Ladies Day an authentic foundation of top quality thoroughbred racing.

Dress Code

Fashion is an important part of Ladies Day, with many race goers attending the third day of the Royal meeting in formal dress. Men are encouraged to wear morning dress with top hats, whilst women are expected to dress conservatively in dress suits or summer dresses.

The conservative dress code is counterbalanced by the massive array of ladies’ hats to be found at the meeting. Hats range from the spectacular to the bizarre, with many female race goers attempting to outdo each other in what is sometimes described as the Oscar of hats.

History

The origins of Ladies Day at the Royal Meeting are inseparable from the history of the racecourse. During the 1700s race meetings tended to attract aristocrats and nobility from all around England, and were important social occasions.

The third day of the Royal Meeting has long been the festival’s most popular. It is believed that the opulent display of wealth paraded by the nobles attending the Royal Meeting, tended to attract female race goers who would journey to Ascot to catch up on the latest fashions.

Beau Brummel is credited with the modern incarnation of Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot meeting. It was Brummel who suggested to his friend the Prince Regent, that only spectators in formal wear should be permitted to attend the third day of the Royal Ascot meeting.

The Royal Procession

One of the oldest traditions at the Royal Ascot meeting is the Royal procession on Ladies Day. Before the start of the third day of racing the Royal family are put on display in a horse drawn carriage, as they travel down the one mile course adjacent to the grandstand.