Event Roundup: Royal Ascot 2011

Five days of racing, five days of hats and fashion galore. Relive the magic:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3 (Ladies' Day)

Day 4

Day 5

Presenting our overall winners:

Best Hat

The Countess of Wessex

Princess Michael brought some fierce competition with her ball of fur and feathers on Day 4, but Sophie's peacock turns wins the race for being fun, fierce and stylish, all at once. (Note that Princess Haya's Day 3 purple love was a close runner up!)

Worst Dressed

Princess Eugenie, Day 1

What's worse than a thirty-year-old wonder from Princess Anne? A bona fide hot mess. I still can't figure this baffling lace and snakeskin combo out.

Best Dressed

Princess Beatrice, Day 1

Not Ascot crazy, no. But sometimes lovely is all it takes to win the week.

Who wins your prizes for Ascot week?

Photos: Getty/Daylife

Royal Fashion Awards: Ascot 2011, Day 5

The Ascot Marathon is over! Can you handle just a wee few more awards?

The Once Again Award

Queen Elizabeth

Once again, she's great. Consistency for 60 years and running: that's our Lilibet.

Best in VaVaVoom

Princess Eugenie

Excuuussseee me, why did we have to wait until Day 5 to see something like this? There are just as many of you out there clutching your pearls in abject horror as there are that are ready to join me in a resounding Hell Yes! for Eugenie here, and that only makes this little number better. This is Alexander McQueen, darlings. And if I had my druthers, Eugenie's wardrobe would be comprised solely of McQueen and Westwood, because she's got curves, and they should be shaped and shown off, not covered up. Yes. McQueen, Westwood, and a tailor. The hat's a little bit of a disco funeral, but that's all right. It's all about the dress, baby.

Are you with me, or have you clutched your pearls so tight you're about to faint?

Photos: Daylife/Getty

Royal Fashion Awards: Ascot 2011, Day 4

You aren't getting tired of Ascot, are you? We still have a day left, you know. Seems to me the royals might be growing a little weary, though...let's see:

Best in Rain Gear

Princess Eugenie

This is how we handle the rain at Ascot. We don't bundle up like it's Christmas at Sandringham as Beatrice did yesterday; we just coordinate our outfit to our brolly and call it a day. Well played, Eugenie.

Worst Seasonal Confusion

Queen Elizabeth

This suit/hat combo is so odd to me. It's spring-ready buttercup yellow, but the accent colors are quite autumnal. All of which is to say: meh. I had to include Prince Philip in the picture just for some entertainment. He doesn't have to do a thing, and I still find him delightful.

Best Potential

Princess Haya

Hat: big, fab, check. Rest of it: damn you, rain.

Best Effort

Princess Michael of Kent

I requested that someone, anyone, bring it, and look: Marie-Christine wore a hat with a furry tail, bless her over-the-top heart. A+ for effort. Here's hoping the sun comes out tomorrow and more Windsors come out to play.

UPDATE: Found another Windsor!

Best in Youth

Lady Amelia Windsor

A new royal at Ascot, yay! Lady Amelia is the daughter of the Earl and Countess of St. Andrews, which makes her the granddaughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent. And yes, I reckon if you are 15 years old and you are out at Ascot, this is precisely what you'd wear. Well done, Amelia.

Is anybody tickling your fashion fancy on day 4?

Photos: Tim Rooke/Rex Features/Isopix/Newspix/Belga/Getty Images/Daylife

Royal Fashion Awards: Ascot 2011, Ladies' Day

It's day 3 of Ascot and it is it should be the best day yet: Ladies' Day! Also known as crazy hat Mecca. The question is: did the royals live up to the occasion? Let us see...

Best Roller Coaster

Princess Anne

Day 1, icy blue perfection. Day 2, stale mustard. Day 3...back on top! And dressed in purple, just for me. (Ha.) Whatever will tomorrow bring? Way to keep us on our toes, Anne.

Best in Non-Ladies' Day Form

Queen Elizabeth

There's definitely something to be said for consistency...but sometimes I just wish Liz would kick it up a notch for days like today. It'd probably scar my retinas for life, but at least we'd have a laugh. Surely that hairnet isn't the only nutty thing banging around in her closet? In the mean time, I suppose hot watermelon pink will have to do.

Best Try

Carole Middleton

All the chatter over the Middletons riding in a carriage today and being in the royal box kinda cracked me up. They have a stake in a horse racing today, why wouldn't they be there? Sophie's father was in a carriage yesterday, no comment on that. People seem to be grasping for things to hyperventilate over in Kate's absence. So good on Carole here for not giving it to them in the form of a fashion disaster. This hat is weird, but whatever.

Worst Loss of Mojo

Princess Beatrice

Seems that one princess-y effort wasn't a permanent trend (sigh). This is just...I mean...it's fine. It's not anything, really. It's like she tried to do something a little trussed up for Ladies' Day, but she forgot to work it. Bea's done lost her hat mojo.

Worst Race Rerun

The Countess of Wessex

Epsom, and now Ascot. While I can credit her for a flattering coat and for mixing up the hat on her repeat, I'm just a little bored overall. With the whole field. Poor Sophie, it's not her fault. UPDATE: I've added the hat into the equation now...and, well, at least somebody brought a little something out of the ordinary.

Best in Lovely

Princess Haya

I know some of you were a bit perturbed to learn that Haya here is one of multiple wives for the Sheikh (see our discussion on just exactly who Princess Haya is here), but I tell you, I have a soft spot for her. Doesn't she look like she'd be just lovely to have a chat with? As Crown Princess Katherine is to royal weddings, Princess Haya is to royal racing.

Worst in Missing Persons

Zara Phillips

You know what we needed today? Some Zara. Where is she? Why has she not been at Ascot for a while? She always brings something interesting to talk about. I need a Bat Signal or something.

Best in Ladies' Day Fashion

Absolutely Nobody

This whole day was a little pffftblerghsigh, wouldn't you say? The answer to my question (did the royals live up to the occasion) is: no. What's the matter, Windsors? Rain got you down? How come not a one of you really embraced the Ladies' Day spirit? People wear dead animals just for this occasion, you know. Two days left for you to redeem yourselves. Don't let us down.

How are you feeling about the Ladies' Day fashion? Am I the only one that's a bit let down?

Photos: Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Daylife/Daily Mail/Isopix/Rex Features

Royal Fashion Awards: Ascot 2011, Day 2

Ascot Day 2! No sign of the Yorkies today, but let's carry on anyway:

Best in Old School

Princess Alexandra

Two Princess Alexandra sightings in the space of a week. Will we get more before Ascot is over? Everybody cross your fingers and toes.

Worst Flashback

The Duchess of Gloucester

First thought, seeing the Duchess: is she repeating the rather tragic ensemble she wore for Lady Rose's wedding? If she is: yikes. If she isn't: yikes, having one bib collar in your closet is bad enough.

Best in the Ascot Spirit

The Countess of Wessex

Peacock feathers! Where else are you gonna wear them? And this is why we love Ascot. Simple pairing with the blue dress and jacket we saw on Sunday, but that's all right: let the feathers do the talking.

Worst in the Ascot Spirit

Princess Haya

 

No, see, Ascot is about peacock feathers, not funeral gear. Great suit and all, but the chapeau is downright depressing.

Best in Dessert

Queen Elizabeth

A soft serve hat and the best sweet thing of all: DIAMONDS. That's the Williamson brooch, my friends. Finest pink diamond in the world, right there: 23.6 carats. Pardon my drool.

Worst in Stubborn

Princess Anne

"Listen, I gave you yesterday, today is mine. If I want to wear a mustard paisley number from 1980, that's my prerogative. WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME."

Who's ahead in your fashion stakes for Ascot Day 2?

Photos: Harry Page/Rex Features/Reuters/Daylife/Mark Stewart/Camera Press/Isopix/David Hartley

Royal Fashion Awards: Ascot 2011, Day 1

It's Ascot week, party people! The very event that spawned one of my favorite movie scenes of all time, a scene which I will I go to any extent to reference on this blog. Pay homage properly:

Best in Vacation Glam

Princess Michael of Kent

Well, I'm glad to see her back to her big-hatted fabulousness after Sunday's disastrous attempt at mini-millinery. "Dahling, fetch me my martini and my Jilly Cooper paperback, I can't be bothered to leave the pool deck."

Greatest Purple Delight

Princess Haya

You can always count on Haya to show up to the racing party, and she'll always bring something fantastic. She's reliable like that. In this case, she's chosen to bathe herself in my very favorite color, bless her. I usually prefer my Haya in a dress with a little more structure, but I am loving this. Am I blinded by the grape, or am I right?

Best Response

Princess Anne

Those of you that wanted to see Anne in a hat hat: the Princess Royal has heard you. And she has responded in a most unexpectedly lovely way, I must say. Look at her! She appears to have gotten dressed in, like, the current century for a change! Oh, A+.

Worst in Too Soon

The Duchess of Cornwall

Yes, Cams, you do look good in this outfit, but we're still thinking about the last event you wore it to! The trick to these things is to put it away for a while. Allow our temporary memory loss to set in. And then you bust it out. See how that works?

Worst in Hat Repeats

The Countess of St. Andrews

What a lovely suit on Sylvana (who is the daughter-in-law of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, for those of you playing along at home). Shame that hat doesn't match...no, two blues doesn't automatically make a blue ribbon, I'm afraid. Tricky, being a minor royal, isn't it? It's not like you have that many be-hatted events to show up for, but the ones that do are all clumped together and so we all know you're repeating from just a few days ago. All your dirty hattery secrets, exposed right there for the world to see.

Worst in Coordination

Princess Eugenie

Here's the thing about such a strong teal and such a statement skirt: matching the hat takes it right over the top. And not in, like, a good Ascot-y kind of way; in a bridesmaid horror kind of way. (Also, what is the deal with the Yorkies and their lace dresses? I mean, there is a time and a place, but I'm thinking that time is after dark, and that place involves many more cocktails than this place does. Or maybe Ascot is sufficiently boozy, what do I know?)

Best in Safe

Queen Elizabeth

Perfectly respectable, just as you want your Queen to be. End of story.

Best Risk

The Countess of Wessex

When I first saw this, I couldn't decide if the sleeves were a disaster or a delight. And then I decided, hey, I keep banging on about certain people playing it too safe (not everybody gets a free Queen pass, you know), perhaps I should give some love to those that take a risk. So, Sophie, I'm on board. It may have looked a bit dubious in the carriage, but standing up there's color and a fitted waist, and design, and an Ascot-worthy topper, and I'm sold.

Best in Shy

Princess Beatrice

When Beatrice here was a no-show at Trooping the Colour, and then turned up in something halfway lame at Prince Philip's birthday service, fear began to creep in. Had her adventures in internet meme millinery scared her off from doing anything of note? But now I have a new theory: perhaps it scared her straight into Princess territory. This is soooo ladylike, that hat is safe but fantastic all at once, and there's just enough going on with the dress to make sure that we're talking about young Princess territory. Oh, me like. Best of the day in this addled mind.

Who are you liking (and disliking) at Ascot, Day 1?

Photos: Getty Images/AP Photo/Daylife/Reuters/Mark Stewart/Camera Press/Isopix/Ken Goff

Royal Fashion Awards: Ascot 2010

Let's take a wee break from our single-minded wedding fever and dip over to England for a refreshing sip of Ascot fashion...

Sad quantities of royals at Ascot this year.  Camilla was a notable absence (presumably convalescing with Charles as he gets over his chest cold), Sophie only made it to the first 3 days before departing for the Swedish wedding, and Anne dashed off to Germany and missed the last 2 days.  Not one single Zara Philips sighting - harrumph.

Let’s meet our players:

Day 1

 Sophie, Alexandra, Haya, Anne, and Elizabeth.  Blue dress code, huh?

Day 2

Sophie, Elizabeth, Anne, Haya.  Pink dress code today!

Day 3: Ladies Day

 Eugenie, Haya, Elizabeth, Beatrice, Anne, Sophie.  Finally, multiple colors!

Day 4

Elizabeth, Haya, Princess Michael.  Black and white, My Fair Lady-styles.

Day 5

Beatrice, Chelsy Davy, Elizabeth, Eugenie.  Short skirt day!  Can't find a full length pic to see if Lilibet played along.  Heh.

Now, let’s play our game:

Double Take Award

Sophie, Day 1

One must look twice to ensure our fair Countess isn’t wearing a dickie.

Never Thought I’d Say This…. Award

Anne, Day 2

Can we please have the old Anne hairdo back? This one frightens me. There are things attached to it. (Also, what’s the deal with the gloves? Awkwardly short and black? In June?)

Best Bling Award

Elizabeth, Day 1

This is a lovely outfit that is tragically becoming a giant snooze due to excessive reuse. Best to focus on the brooch, then: the Cullinan V Heart brooch. Doesn’t go with the coat, dress, or hat, per se, but check out the size of that rock!  18.8 carats, baby!

Stand Still, Please Award

Beatrice, Day 3

I think this is actually a cute, well-cut dress with the potential to be very figure-flattering, but it looks a hot mess trampling through the grass.  Poses only, please.

Best Hat-to-Suit Coordination Award

Sophie, Day 2

Froofy pattern on the suit, froofier…thing?...on the hat. Overall combo: pure froofy delight!

The "Fine, You're Asking For It" Award

Chelsy Davy, Day 5

Here's the thing:  I have nothing personal against Chelsy here.  But she doesn't have the cleanest image.  One of the (only?) reasons I like her is that she does seem to do whatever she pleases without basing her whole life around being a good girlfriend for Harry (ahem, Kate).....but showing up like this?  In a low cut red dress that you've accessorized by placing your name tag as close to your cleavage as possible, and that looks like it could fly up at any minute?  Walking around with a drink in your hand (when you know those are the only pictures that will get used)?  You're just asking for the whole "Is she a suitable future wife?" discussion to fire up again.

Most Up and Down

Haya

 Day 1, technicolor nightmare.  Day 2, lovely but perhaps out of season.  Day 3, did you not see what that dress is doing to your body??  Day 4, back on par - amazing collar on that jacket.

Worst Overall

Anne

She went from a slightly too long skirt (minor infraction) on Day 1 to total disaster on Days 2 and 3.  No wonder she fled the country.

Best Overall

Meh.  The Queen, I suppose.

No one really caught my imagination this year.  When in doubt, go with the Queen - consistency over all else. And she did sport 3 new outfits to close the show out, which is incredibly rare these days, so extra marks for that.

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Belga/Press Association/Newspix/IBL