Ascot-hat---Queen-.jpg
Ascot-hat---Queen-.jpg
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The royals were on show and the hats were as fanciful as ever on the first day of Ascot 2015...

Yesterday the lawns at Royal Ascot were swamped with stylish women in fabulous frocks and creative headpieces for the annual Ladies Day. The Queen who was in great spirits chose a beautiful pale blue ensemble with matching hat and crisp white gloves for the occasion.

It was a third day at the races for her Majesty, who was joined by a regal crowd, including the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of York, Princess' Beatrice and Eugenie, and the Countess of Wessex. And, although the Duchess of Cambridge wasn't in attendance, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, provided a masterclass in race-ready style in a dove grey ensemble (keep clicking for pics).

Earlier in the week as the gates opened, various celebrities filed through the gates at Royal Ascot. We spotted Damian Lewis, who is being tipped to take over from Daniel Craig as the next James Bond, sporting a wonderful moustache and his gorgeous wife, Helen McCrory, who graced our March cover, in a standout ensemble. Regular racegoer, Bruce Forsyth was also looking dapper with wife, Wilnelia at his side.

The sun shone as a swathe of ladies embraced the dress code with aplomb and a sea of colour graced the Ascot turf. Those who enjoyed a little flutter on the first day of races left with huge smiles on their faces - bookies are thought to have lost thousands yesterday as the favourites kept on coming in!

Fashion at the races is often a bit hit or miss, but yesterday there was a return to form with elegant on point outfits with the most mesmerising hats. From oversized feather creations to elaborate bespoke designs, don't miss the very best pictures from Royal Ascot 2015...

Sophie Countess Of Wessex

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Sophie Countess Of Wessex

Princess Beatrice of York

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Princess Beatrice of York

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Ronan Keating and Storm Uechtritz

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Ronan Keating and Storm Uechtritz

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Actress Eleanor Tomlinson

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Actress Eleanor Tomlinson

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Princess Eugenie of York

Princess Eugenie of York

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Princess Anne

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Princess Anne

Actress Samantha Barks

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Actress Samantha Barks

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Queen Elizabeth II

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Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Prince Harry

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Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Prince Harry

Sophie, Countess of Wessex

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Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Zara Philips

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Zara Philips

Princess Anne

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Princess Anne

Prince Harry

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Prince Harry

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew

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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew

Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory

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Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory

Bruce Forsyth and Wilnelia Merced

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Bruce Forsyth and Wilnelia Merced

Gary and Danielle Lineker

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Gary and Danielle Lineker

Declan Donnelly

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Declan Donnelly

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Royal Ascot 2015

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Royal Ascot 2015

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall