Queen Camilla enjoys a friendly chat with former Strictly judge Darcey Bussell as they attend Royal Ascot

The Queen was snapped enjoying a chat with former ballerina Dame Darcey Bussell at Royal Ascot on Friday – the penultimate day of the summer society event.

Camilla, 76, revealed earlier this year that she is ‘one of the greatest fans of Strictly Come Dancing’ – which Darcey was a judge on.

In addition, the Queen is patron of the Royal Academy of Dance, of which Darcey is the president.

So no doubt the two women had much to talk about when their paths crossed at the horse racing event today.

Both women attended with their husbands – at one point, Darcey looked like she was about to break into a dance with Angus Forbes, with whom she tied the knot in 1997.

King Charles and Queen Camilla appear happy as they speak with Dame Darcey Bussell and her husband Angus Forbes

The former dancer looked chic in a fuchsia midi dress, which she paired with a cream fascinator and tortoiseshell sunglasses

Dame Darcey Bussell (pictured, left) speaks with a smiling Queen Camilla (pictured, left) at Royal Ascot today

The former ballerina looked extremely chic in a fuchsia midi dress, made from a light fabric that skimmed her elegant frame.

Queen Camilla, 76, who had arrived by carriage earlier in the day, accompanied by Lord and Lady Bamford, was equally chic.

She opted for a light blue suit, with her statement feathered hat caught at times by the afternoon breeze. 

And King Charles, 75, cut a dapper figure in a pale grey morning suit with a pink waistcoat and pink and blue gingham shirt. 

The Queen famously loves Strictly Come Dancing, and has previously joked about taking up tap dancing in her ‘dotage’.

Meanwhile, former Strictly judge Darcey is a fan of Queen Camilla: when the 76-year-old was announced as patron of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) earlier this year, Darcey branded the news ‘wonderful’.

She added: ‘Queen Camilla has been such an engaged supporter of the RAD for many years. 

‘Her patronage will make such a difference to the members of the RAD and she will help encourage all generations to benefit from the many attributes dance .’

Former Strictly judge Dame Darcey Bussell is pictured arriving by carriage on day four of Royal Ascot

The former ballerina was pictured joking around with another racegoer during her outing today in Berskhire

King Charles, resplendent in grey tails and a pink waistcoat was pictured doffing his top hat while chatting to Darcey

The King, 76, looked dapper today, pairing his grey suit with a pink waistcoat, blue tie, and top hat (pictured with Darcey Bussell)

Darcey Bussell and her husband Angus Forbes cut a dashing couple today as they attended Royal Ascot

Queen Camilla and Darcey Bussell appeared to be enjoying their interaction during the penultimate day of Royal Ascot

The King cut a dapper figure in a pale grey morning suit with a pink waistcoat, and Queen Camilla matched the monarch in the style stakes, wearing a light blue suit and a statement feathered hat at Royal Ascot on Friday

The King’s pastel pink and blue gingham shirt perfectly matched the small carnation on his lapel

 King Charles offered a wave of his black top hat as the first carriage made its way through the spectators

The royals have enjoyed the summer society staple all week, and looked to be ready for another flutter on Friday afternoon

Two footmen expertly manage the open-topped carriage as it makes its way to the royal box

Keep your hat on! Queen Camilla, wearing a beautiful brooch and diamond bracelet, keeps her feathered headwear in place

Camilla has attended every day so far at Ascot, with the King missing Wednesday’s carriage procession

The King and Queen’s carriage was closely followed by Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo ‘Edo’ Mapelli Mozzi and Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor, who travelled together in the procession. 

Princess Beatrice, 35, donned a £2,995 Emilia Wickstead green Brita dress, teamed with a lemon clutch bag and heels. 

The daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York wore a Juliette Botterill percher headwear, also in lemon.  

And husband Edo made sure he was co-ordinating with his wife, wearing a lemon waistcoat under his morning suit.  

Former Prima Ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing star Dame Darcey Bussell, wearing a striking shade of magenta, also enjoyed a ride to the royal enclosure, alongside her husband Angus Forbes. 

The couple chatted to the King and Queen, and at one point looked as if they might break into one of Darcey’s trademark dances.  

Elsewhere, love was very much in the air as Peter Phillips put on a tactile display with his new girlfriend, NHS nurse Harriet Sperling. 

In the pink: King Charles chats to Dame Darcey Bussell, who looked chic in a bright magenta pink dress and grey suede heels

Charles, with an umbrella in hand, strolls alongside Queen Camilla as the King and Queen arrive for the fourth day of action at Royal Ascot

Promenading: The King and Queen walk close to Dame Darcey and her husband Angus F

Shall we dance? Former Prima Ballerina Darcey Bussell clasps hands with her husband in a sweet moment 

Princess Anne’s son, 46, had embarked on his new romance with Harriet, who is an NHS nurse, just weeks after separating from his partner of three years.

In May, the couple spent the weekend together at the Badminton Horse Trial where they were spotted strolling hand in hand.

And the pair didn’t hold back on affections this afternoon either as they were snapped leaning into one another and sharing sweet glances.

The loved up couple shared a tender kiss as they mingled in the royal enclosure. 

Wearing a similar hat to the Queen, Sophie Winkleman, aka Lady Frederick Windsor, opted for a 50s style powder blue jacket dress. The former Peep Show star was spotted chatting to Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo, alongside husband Lord Frederick Windsor.

Princess Beatrice opted for a green Emilia Wickstead dress, which retails at £2,995, with a pale lemon clutch bag that coordinated with her hat

Edo offers an admiring glance at this wife, who looked elegant in the lemon and green ensemble

All eyes on the course: Beatrice and Edo look focused on their horses

Standing with friends, the couple soaked up the action on the penultimate day of racing action

Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor pictured mingling with Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo in the royal enclosure

Wearing a similar hat to the Queen, Sophie Winkleman, aka Lady Frederick Windsor, opted for a 50s style powder blue jacket dress

Seated next to Princess Beatrice in the second carriage in the procession, Sophie Winkleman offered a broad grin as she bypassed spectators 

Later, in the stands, the King and Sophie Winkleman chatted as they watched the runners and riders 

Peter Phillips arrived holding hands with NHS nurse girlfriend Harriet Sperling, who looked chic in a pastel pink outfit, teamed with a geometric clutch bad and coordinated oversized bow headwear

Friday feeling: The new couple looked delighted to be enjoying an afternoon at the races

…and even shared a kiss as they mingled with other society movers and shakers 

Later NHS worker Harriet could be seen enjoying a chat with Queen Camilla as the royals waited for the races to begin

The Queen put a gloved hand up to steady her hat which was caught by the breeze

The King and Queen looked on fine form as they chatted to fellow Royal Ascot-goers in he royal enclosure on Friday afternoon

Meanwhile, revellers attending put on their best attire, creating a beautiful sea of vibrant colours and fabrics as they showed up for day two of the Royal Ascot this morning. 

As ever, flamboyant hats and gowns were front and centre as the society event in Berkshire kicked off on Friday. 

Dressed to the nines, groups of classy racegoers opted to coordinate their attire for the annual occasion, rather than wearing their ensembles solo.

A band called The Tootsie Rolls proudly stepped out in the same blue and white gingham petticoat dress and donned similar fascinators.

A duo brought the sunshine to the track in Berkshire as they arrived dressed in similar yellow dresses, buttermilk-coloured heels and lemon floral headwear.

Peter Phillips points out a potential winner to his fellow guests in the royal enclosure

Sporting sunglasses, Princess Anne’s son enjoyed a glass of champagne at the summer diary must

Some racegoers brought the sunshine by donning bright yellow ensembles with matching fascinators 

Lady in red! Two women sported similar cherry red frocks and matching shoes at the races today 

It appears there is an increasing number of pals wanting to arrive at the society event and put on a strong sartorial display. 

Athlete-turned-personal-trainer Jennifer Pacey turned heads in a bright red dress paired with a Louis Vuitton bag and posed for a picture with her friend who also sported the exact shade. 

A trio posed for a picture donning the same fascinator but in differing colours that incorporated what each of them was wearing.

Standards have not slipped from yesterday’s display of elegant fashion as revellers arrived dressed in all their finery. 

Elsewhere, fashion designer Louise Roe kept things simple but sophisticated in a pale blue dress with corset-style detailing and a matching hat.

Television presenter Charlotte Hawkins sported an emerald green vine print white frock with a bow on the front, along with a matching pair of pointed heels.

Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, started on Tuesday with the Queen Anne Stakes and will run until Saturday.

This year’s meeting will have an overall prize-money pot of £10million. This is a record amount for Royal Ascot. The minimum winnings for all eight Group 1 races will be £650,000.

It was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 after she declared Ascot ideal for ‘horses to gallop at full stretch’ and has today become a major social event as well as a sporting attraction.

For the first time in its 313-year history, Ascot Racecourse announced this year the appointment of a creative director. 

A band called the The Tootsie Rollers rocked matching vintage chic dresses for Ascot 

Three pals opted to wear bright and colour matching fascinators with love hearts on the top 

Rosie Tapner looked elegant in a long pleated cream dress with a large pink floral fascinator  

One woman stepped out and donned a hot pink floaty dress and fluffy neon green fascinator 

Two women posed for pictures at the Berkshire racecourse today as day four kicks off 

Two pals showed up for the event dressed white and pastel-coloured dresses

Revellers put on their best attire, creating a beautiful sea of vibrant colours and fabrics as they showed up for day two of the Royal Ascot this morning

One reveller looked stunning as she donned a monochrome gown embroidered with flowers and sheer mesh sleeves 

The event was a sea of colour today, with one racegoer donning a white and blue mesh dress with a box bag and a Vivienne Westwood pearl necklace 

Another chic racegoer looked stunning in black and white suit paired with a Gucci Dionysus bag

British fashion designer Daniel Fletcher was responsible for the creation of the annual Lookbook and Millinery Collective in 2024, which set the style tone for the year and often inspire racegoers’ outfits.

He’s known for his classically tailored silhouettes and modern gender-fluid clothes; his Spring/Summer 2023 collection included corset designs for both men and women.

The Cheshire-born designer, whose first customer was the eccentric Harry Styles, told GQ in 2023: ‘The idea of an item of clothing being for a specific gender is such a funny one.

‘I understand that something like a bra is designed for function, but when it comes to a shirt, why would we apply gender to something like that? And for me, the same applies to the corset.’

Former One Direction member Harry whose style has included jumpsuits, feather boas, skirts and dresses, became Daniel’s first customer after buying all the boxy short-sleeved shirts from the designer’s graduate collection in 2015.

‘Harry had a huge impact on my career,’ Daniel admitted to GQ in 2020. ‘At 24 years old I couldn’t believe what was happening.’

Since then, the designer’s career has gone from strength to strength, with A-listers including James McAvoy, Robert Pattinson, Eddie Redmayne, Emma Corrin and Emerald Fennell wearing his looks.

The Central Saint Martins graduate has also designed for some of the world’s most prestigious houses including Louis Vuitton, Lanvin and JW Anderson and held the role of Artistic Director for Italian label Fiorucci between 2019 and 2023.

A group of boys look in high spirits as they pour themselves an Appletiser beverage 

A racegoer dressed in a sapphire blue ensemble poses for a picture at Royal Ascot in Berkshire today 

Racegoer Charly Blackburn looked elegant in a ruffled blue and yellow gown, a wired fascinator and a hamper style box bag 

Boys in top hats were snapped drinking Appletiser as they enjoy a picnic in the car park 

Vintage style! This retro band called the The Tootsie Rollers stepped out in blue gingham petticoat dresses 

One racegoer upped the style stakes by wearing a creative wide-brimmed hat with two champagne flutes on top of it 

Former MP Gyles Brandreth looks dapper as he arrives at Royal Ascot with his wife  Michele

As ever, flamboyant hats and gowns were front and centre as the society event in Berkshire kicked off on Friday

Two racegoers show off creative ensembles at Royal Ascot today, with one donning satin leopard print and another opting for a white dress 

Television presenter Charlotte Hawkins arrived for day four of Ascot in a white and green floaty frock 

Men sporting three-piece suits and top hats arrive at the racecourse in Berkshire today

A bit of all white! One reveller went for classic chic and donned a buttoned-up waistcoat, a pleated skirt and some gold heels  

Fashion and celebrity stylish Nana Acheampong opted for a pale blue gown with a matching fascinator, silver bangles and a crocodile bag

Fun designs, textures and floral displays dominated the fashion today as day three kicked off at Ascot 

Revellers were dressed to the nines as they enjoyed an early start to the weekend at Royal Ascot today

He was nominated for the LVMH prize in 2017, was a winner of the European Semi- Final of the International Woolmark Prize and named Breakthrough Designer of The Year in the 2020 GQ Men of The Year Awards.

After many successful seasons showing his collections on the London Fashion Week schedule, Daniel took part in Netflix’s ‘Next In Fashion’ series which saw him make it to the final.

The history of fashion at Royal Ascot

Late 1700s 

It was Beau Brummell, a close friend of the Prince Regent, who decreed that ‘men of elegance should wear waisted black coats and white cravats with pantaloons’ and this set the tone for the dress code that is still adhered to by men in the Royal Enclosure.

1830s

Queen Victoria’s visit to Royal Ascot saw her arrive in a pretty lace dress with a full bell skirt and shawl. She also started a craze for the porter bonnet, shielding the wearer from male eyes.

1890s 

As the dawn of a new century arrived, fashion took on an almost celebratory tone. Skirts were less full, but silhouettes made a greater statement with angular hips and puffed sleeves. Hats were large and full of feathers and adornments.

1900s 

One of fashion’s most iconic images; that of Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady was inspired when costume designer Cecil Beaton saw images of Black Ascot, The 1910 Royal Ascot meeting was in full mourning over the death of King Edward.

1920s

Hemlines were shorter and cuts were smaller in the 1920s reflecting a post-war generation’s rebellion against old traditions. Pearls and furs were the accessories of the day.

1950s 

Christian Dior’s New Look, a small waist and full skirt, was proving popular however it was when the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth and her stylish sister Princess Margaret wore the style at Royal Ascot that it was cemented in history.

1960s

Royal Ascot’s glamorous profile elevated when Italian actress Sophia Loren was photographed in the Royal Enclosure. In modern times some of the biggest names in Hollywood and fashion have attended. 

1970s

Trouser suits became more popular following their introduction to the dress code in 1971. Gertrude Shilling, The Ascot Mascot, delighted the press with her extravagant outfits. One year, one of her son David’s millinery designs outgrew the Shilling’s long-wheel-based Rolls Royce, so the hat had to follow in a van behind. 

1980s 

Sharp lines and bright colours took centre stage during this decade. With statement hats and pointed heels, there was little room for floaty florals in 1980s glamour. 

2012 

Royal Ascot officially launches its Style Guide to racegoers outlining dress code regulations for the Royal Enclosure and Queen Anne Enclosure (formally known as Grandstand). 

2017 

The jumpsuit is formally accepted in the Royal Enclosure Dress Code and the Queen Anne Enclosure Dress Code is extended to the new Village Enclosure. 

2018 

Royal Ascot introduces Style Guides for the Village Enclosure and Windsor Enclosure. 

2020 

 Royal Ascot runs behind closed doors for the first time in the event’s history during the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

2021

Navy morning suits were permitted in the Royal Enclosure. 

Source: Royal Ascot  

Of his latest appointment, Daniel said: ‘I’m thrilled to be appointed as Ascot’s first Creative Director and have thrown myself into the new role.

‘I’m keen to encapsulate the rich heritage of the racecourse while embracing the unique dress codes, adding a contemporary twist to bring a flair that Ascot hasn’t seen before.

Two dressed-up women pose for selfies at Royal Ascot in Berkshire today 

Racegoers picnic behind the boot of their car in the car park at the racecourse in Berkshire today 

Flamboyant hats and gowns were front and centre as the society event in Berkshire kicked off on Friday 

Fabulous florals! A racegoer is snapped wearing a chic yet modest ensemble featuring a rose skirt and a cream blouse 

Athlete Jennifer Pacey turned heads in a bright red dress paired with a Louis Vuitton bag 

Satin ensembles seemed to be a popular choice for racegoers, who wore the material from head-to-toe 

A woman opted to wear a navy dress with a hot pink clutch bag and a large pink floral fascinator 

‘For 2024, I want to inspire racegoers to push the boundaries with their own unique style and immerse themselves in the opportunity to embrace their own creativity – and what better occasion than Royal Ascot!

‘I’m super excited to reveal the next evolution of style direction for the world- renowned brand and can’t wait for the vision to become a reality.’

The Best of British Edit takes inspiration from Daniel’s lifelong fascination with British Heritage and features clashing stripes and ties worn with whimsical silk dresses. 

He said the New Guard Edit is dedicated to the next generation of independent brands and designers, with a new take on occasion dressing. 

The Conscious Edit aims to showcase how racegoers can dress up whilst thinking about the impact their fashion choices have on the environment. This includes a custom suit designed and made in London by Fletcher using a deadstock lightweight tweed. 

Fletcher said the Luxury Edit is for racegoers who are looking to elevate their look and add a touch of glamour. 

Some pieces included have intricate and unique elements to the designs, for example, the intarsia knits in Missoni dresses, to pleating from Zimmerman, and draping from Marc Jacobs. 

Whilst the designer says you can never go wrong with a classic Top hat and Tails, the Tailoring Edit highlights other ways to incorporate tailoring into race day dressing.

The Albany Stakes, The Coronation Stakes, The Sandringham Stakes and The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, The King Edward VII Stakes, The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes and the Commonwealth Cup will all take place today. 

Source link