Royal Ascot

As one of the best known racing events on the British social calendar, Ascot is to the U.K. what the Kentucky Derby is to the U.S. Never mind the horses though, Royal Ascot is all about Hats and being a milliner myself I couldn't be more excited to see the daring fashion statements made throughout Ascot last week. Traditionally speaking, Royalty and celebrities alike try to outdo each other with who can wear the biggest and often the most horrifying millinery confection, especially at Ladies' Day at Ascot. Unfortunately thanks to the recession, several racegoers recycled their hats from years past, and many fashionable hats seemed to be on the slightly smaller side. Most heads, however, did not disappoint.

Redhead Princess Beatrice and her sister Princess Eugenie (aka Beetroot and Aubergine as my family prefers to call them) were all fancy headpieces and fascinators, though at times they looked like they were wearing actual vegetables on their heads. Though I was disappointed with The Queen's choice of a mostly boring sunflower-yellow hat on opening day at the races, Prince Charles' wife Camilla Duchess of Cornwall looked loveliest in an upturned cream straw Philip Treacy hat, alongside a crisp and traditionally top hat-clad Prince Charles.
Photos borrowed from dailymail.co.uk