Yesterday was the final day of the 2012 Royal Ascot in England. The big winner was an Australian horse by the name of Black Caviar, who won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes trophy.
Diamond Jubilee Stakes trophy to the Black Caviar team
The Queen looked lovely in green and blue, and her hat was quite striking!
From the royal family, Princess Beatrice was also in attendance:
A fashion stand out on the final day was model Kelly Brook. She looked stunning in a crinkle silk organza dress with woven silk flowers by Jacques Azagury and hat by Philip Treacy.
Model Kelly Brook in Jacques Azagury dress & Philip Treacy hat
Kelly Brook in Philip Treacy hat
To see more of the amazing dresses and hats/fascinators seen at this year’s Royal Ascot, please take a look at my previous post: Royal Ascot 2012.
The opening day of the Royal Ascot, held in Ascot, Berkshire, was this past Tuesday, June 19th. The Ascot lasts for five days, with the last day being today. I will update later with fashions from the final day. Fashion and hats/fascinators are one of the main elements that gets people talking about the Royal Ascot. One day in particular, known as ‘Ladies’ Day’, tends to get the most attention in terms of the fashions worn. This past Thursday, June 21st was Ladies’ Day, and the fashions did not disappoint! Aside from talk about fashion, one of the highlights of this year’s races was when the Queen’s horse called Estimate, won a race! The Queen was presented with a trophy known as the Queen’s Vase by her husband, Prince Philip.
The Queen with her winning horse:
Going back to talking about Royal Ascot fashion, this year was the first time they enforced a strict dress code for a certain prime viewing section known as the Royal Enclosure. On the Royal Ascot website, they had a “Royal Enclosure Style Guide” that listed the dress code for women and men, and gave photographic examples of what could be worn. One of the main “rules” was the exclusion of fascinators in the Royal Enclosure, meaning the small head pieces often seen worn instead of brimmed hats. Here are some glimpses at the guide:
Ladies style guidelines
Example of what to wear: dress by Jaeger, shoes by Gina, and hat by Stephen Jones
Due to the strict guidelines, the Royal Ascot hired dress code assistants, aka fashion police, who will stop people dressed “inappropriately” or against the rules from entering the Royal Enclosure. However, they do have supplies on hand to help attendees make their outfits acceptable, including waistcoats, ties, and shawls, etc. Here are some of the attendants:
Below are images from the past four days of the Royal Ascot. Enjoy!
Royals at the Ascot:
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh – Day 2
Loving the cuff detail on the Queen’s coat!
Queen & Duke on Ladies Day 2012
Anne, Princess Royal and Princess Beatrice
Princess Eugenie
Sophie Countess of Wessex
Carole Middleton on Ladies Day
Racegoers:
Singer, Katherine Jenkins on Ladies’ Day
Tootsie Rollers Retro Girl Band at the Ascot
Here is my post about the fashions seen last year: Royal Ascot 2011
The royal family had a busy past week, including the Queen’s visit to Nottingham, Trooping the Colour, an event for Will & Kate, and Garter Day.
Diamond Jubilee Tour:
On Thursday, June 14th, the Queen, Prince William, and Kate visited Nottingham, England as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee tour. Kate recycled her M-Missoni coat she wore to Fortnum and Mason with Camilla and the Queen back on March 1st. She also re-wore her Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat along with the LK Bennett “Art” Court shoe.
Trooping the Colour:
On Saturday, June 16th, the Queen had her official birthday celebration in London, known as Trooping the Colour. Her actual birthday is April 21st, but it has long been the tradition to celebrate her birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when the weather is more likely to be warm and sunny. Therefore, it is held on a Saturday in June. The queen wore a canary yellow outfit by her go-to designer, Angela Kelly. She also wore that outfit for Will and Kate’s wedding on April 29, 2011. Kate wore an Erdem dress and hat by Jane Corbett.
Later that day, Kate joined Will and their dog Lupo at the Beaufort Polo Club where both William and Harry played.
Garter Day:
Monday, June 18th, was Garter Day. The Order of the Garter service was held at Windsor Castle. This day was founded by King Edward III in 1384. The Order is the country’s oldest Order of Chivalry. The Queen alone decides who receives the honor. Kate wore an Alexander McQueen coat that she also wore to Trooping the Colour last year. Her hat was by Jane Corbett. Sophie, Countess of Wessex is also a fashionable royal. She wore a Bruce Oldfield suit and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Countess of Wessex, Duchess of Cambridge, and Duchess of Cornwall
Following the Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving this morning at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Queen and her family took part in a carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace. When they arrived, they stepped out onto the balcony to wave to the crowds outside who were celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Here are some photos from the procession and balcony appearance, as well as a message from the Queen about her Jubilee festivities.
Royal Air Force Red Arrows fly-over
Royal Air Force Red Arrows fly-over
Balcony appearance:
Message from our President Obama of the United States to the Queen:
Video message from Her Majesty:
Jubilee highlights from today:
Cheers to Queen Elizabeth II on her Diamond Jubilee!
Today, in London, a river pageant for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee took place along the River Thames. Although it was a day for the Queen, many eyes were anxiously awaiting the fashions to be worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine. Kate wore a gorgeous, red Alexander McQueen dress and clutch, paired with a hat by Sylvia Fletcher, whom is a royal milliner for James Lock & Co. She also wore her trusty LK Bennett Sledge Pumps.
Kate in Alexander McQueen
William wore his Royal Air Force (RAF) Flight Lieutenant No 1 dress uniform, and Harry wore his No 1 Ceremonial dress of the Blues and Royals and Army Air Corps light blue beret:
Kate wearing Alexander McQueen
Kate was also carrying a scarf made of Strathearn tartan as a nod to her Scottish title the Countess of Strathearn:
Kate wearing a hat by Sylvia Fletcher
On Kate’s dress, she wore a maritime-themed brooch that featured two silver dolphins. It was a gift from the Royal Navy Submarine Service of which William is Commodore in Chief:
The Queen wore an outfit designed for her by Angela Kelly and her team at Buckingham Palace. It was made of white bouclé and embellished with silk ribbon and Swarovski crystals:
The Queens outfit designed by Angela Kelly
I’ve always wondered what she keeps in her purse! Love that she always carries one!
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on the Britannia launch to reach the royal barge:
The royal family on the royal barge, The Spirit of Chartwell, on which the Queen and family took an hour and a half long voyage:
Members of the Middleton family were also a part of the pageant:
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice were also in attendance:
Prince Edward with daughter, Princess Eugenie
Princess Beatrice
They also made a surprise visit to crowds at a Jubilee lunch at one of the oldest churches in Fulham, West London. Princess Eugenie wore a Roland Mouret dress and Moschino cardigan:
The Epsom Derby day today in England was the Queen’s 1st official event she attended for her Diamond Jubilee weekend. In my previous post, I predicted she would either wear blue or yellow, and she wore blue! I’m loving the print on her dress:
The Queen and her husband, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh:
The Queen presenting the derby winner with his trophy: Here was the Queen and Duke in 1948 at the Epsom Derby:
Parachute display before the Queen’s arrival:
Race course décor:
Singer Katherine Jenkins sang the national anthem for the Queen, wearing a gorgeous strapless gown,
Video of her performance:
After Katherine’s performance, she changed into another stunning dress, this time with a hat:
Sadly, Kate was not in attendance, but the granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, had a fashion moment at the races:
I particularly liked Princess Beatrice’s lace dress:
Princess Eugenie was sporting some very patriotic, Union Jack, nails:
The spectator photos were not as extravagant today, but American actress Mischa Barton did have a great photo-op:
Prior to the races today, there was a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London in front of Tower Bridge to mark the start of Diamond Jubilee weekend:
Here are the Jubilee events occurring this weekend, via Daily Mail:
A stage has gone up in front of Buckingham Palace for the concert on Monday, June 4th. Performers include Sir Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Tom Jones, Jessie J, and more. In the United States, the concert will air on Tuesday, June 5th at 9pm on ABC.
Cheers to the Queen and Diamond Jubilee weekend! There will be more to come on the upcoming events!
A fashion stand out on the final day was model Kelly Brook. She looked stunning in a crinkle silk organza dress with woven silk flowers by Jacques Azagury and hat by Philip Treacy. 
