I love Royal Ascot, the people, the horses, the amazing ensembles, the laughter and general messing around . . . and that's just the BRF!
Camilla looked great in pink and sporting an honest to gosh hat. Beatrice's hat was lovely, nobody wears a boater as she does. Eugenie's mustard coloured hat was a hard one to pull off with the teal dress, it was unfortunate that the tailoring of the bodice was not as good as it should have been.
Sophie never ceases to amaze and this year is no different with the under brim of her awesome hat reflecting her ballerina length dress. Catherine looked like Catherine, same hat different colour, boring top shape and gorgeous under the brim. Unfortunately, her Edwardian style Ellie Saab dress that left her looking for an Easter Parade.
Queen Maxima and her husband came to Royal Ascot and the passcode was an Ascot-worthy ensemble and admission to the Royal enclosure was covered by her wonderful, OTT Ascot hat. Everything was as it should be, her ensemble was wonderfully balanced and she and her main accessory, King WA could give Harry and Meghan a run for their money in the PDA stakes.
Zara and her irrepressible other half are a terrific double act and I loved the great big bear hug he gave Eugenie and the video of him showing HM his tiny topper within his actual topper were wonderful family snapshots in much the same way that Charles and Zara have an ongoing 'Ascot thing' going on which never gets old.
HM absolutely glowed. From nudging Maxima to wave on the carriage ride in, to sharing her love of Ascot with her guests. She fairly bubbled her way around Ascot; smiling benevolently at her family, laughing and shaking her head at Mike. All in all, she vibrated with the joys of life and living, her family and the horses and racing. Her sheer joie de vivre seemed totally contagious.