Formal Dress Guide - Royal Ascot

Top hats and Morning Suits, the attendance of the Queen and the world's highest class racing mark Royal Ascot, which takes place in mid June every year from Tuesday to Friday.

Thursday is Ladies' Day where females appear in their smartest outfits. Ladies wear huge hats for this top class event. Horse racing at Royal Ascot which also featured in the famous musical 'My Fair Lady' is a 'must' of the season.

The first race at Ascot, close to Windsor Castle, was run in 1711 and the Royal Enclosure, where the Royal Family is to be found, was introduced by King George IV in 1820 - initially for his close friends.

The most prestigious place to be is in the Royal Enclosure - if you can get in (and of course having a picnic in car park No. 1). Vouchers for the Royal Enclosure are very sought after and very hard to get: try the Ascot Office at St. James' Palace or if you are a foreign national your embassy in London.

www.ascot.co.uk