Royal Ascot fashion: most eye-catching hats and fascinators on Ladies' Day

Zara Tindall and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, attend day three on behalf of the British royal family

Zara Tindall, second from left, Anna Woolhouse, third from left, and Kirsty Gallacher, right, during day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. PA Wire

Visitors wear fancy hats as they attend Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot on Thursday. EPA

It's tradition for women to pull out all the stops with their headgear on Ladies' Day. EPA

A racegoer dons an oversized floral fascinator. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse

A dramatic black fascinator with pops of bright colour. EPA

A racegoer wears baby pink and light blue headgear with lacy detail. EPA

This multicoloured hat certainly offered its wearer some shade. EPA

A tall floral hat catches eyes. EPA

There were floral headpieces galore. EPA

Pinks and blues were in abundance. AFP

A dramatic white hat with horn-like embellishment. AFP

A patriotic choice. AFP

A parrot-themed hat.

The full bird-themed outfit captures attention. EPA

A fabulous purple hat adds drama to a matching outfit. AFP

An oversized green hat. EPA

Flowers and butterflies in bright pink. AFP

Bright colours add to a vibrant day at the races. AFP

Some guests opted for pale pastels. AFP

A racegoer wearing an interesting hat during day three of Royal Ascot.

Racegoers during day three of Royal Ascot.

Grand floral attire. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse

Standing out in bright blue. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse

A sunshine yellow iteration. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse

More pastels on show. Getty Images for Royal Ascot

Stylish in shocking pink. PA Wire

A pastel pink number with feathers. PA Wire

Women co-ordinate their outfits and hats. Getty Images for Royal Ascot

Going old school. Getty Images for Royal Ascot

More unusual headgear is seen. Getty Images for Royal Ascot

Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot is always a feast for the eyes.

Hats, fascinators and elaborate headgear galore sit atop fashionably dressed women who attend day three of Britain's most valuable horse racing meet.

Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the most eye-catching headpieces at Royal Ascot day three

It was referred to as Ladies' Day in 1823, after an anonymous poet described Thursday at the races as such, saying "when the women, like angels, look sweetly divine", or so the story goes.

Royal Ascot doesn't officially call it that, though. "Vibrant, celebratory and steeped in tradition, the third day of Royal Ascot, colloquially known as Ladies' Day, is a day to see and be seen," reads a description on its website.

"It is a glorious occasion, when high fashion and millinery masterpieces take centre stage alongside Flat racing’s most elite stayers locking horns in the historic Gold Cup."

This year was no exception, as ladies turned out in force dressed in all colours under the sun.

An exotic, deeply hued, parrot-shaped headpiece was seen on one racegoer, while many others sported florals and pastels, and oversized, wide-brimmed pieces added drama to proceedings.

On behalf of the royal family, Zara Tindall, the Princess Royal's daughter and a celebrated equestrian, wore a stylish full-brim green hat by Justine Bradley-Hill, along with a white, puffy sleeved coat dress by Laura Green.

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex was also in attendance on Thursday, wearing full floral attire, perfect for spring. Her ankle-length dress sported a V-shaped neckline and she paired it with a bright pink fascinator.

Royal fashion on days one and two at Ascot

On day one of Royal Ascot, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, looked dapper wearing a sharp grey, shin-length morning coat with matching tie, top hat and darker grey trousers.

Sheikh Hamdan shook hands with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, on Tuesday, as he received the trophy for Coroebus's win in the St James's Palace Stakes.

Camilla, who wore an aqua-coloured coat dress while meeting Sheikh Hamdan on Tuesday, dazzled on day two of the meet in an all-white outfit with matching wide-brimmed hat, accessorised with a much-worn pearl choker and stud earrings.

Prince Charles and Camilla led the royal procession on days one and two, but were absent on the third day.

Queen Elizabeth II has been notably absent owing to ongoing mobility issues, as have Prince William and Kate.

Zara Tindall was not in attendance on the second day, but for day one she chose a waist-cinching, pastel linen dress with puffed sleeves from Anna Mason, alongside a tilted white headpiece with pastel pom-poms.

Her husband, Mike Tindall, chose a grey suit with a pink shirt and lilac tie to match his wife's pastel outfit.

Scroll through the gallery below to see the royal family on day two of Ascot

On day one, Princess Beatrice, who was not there on day three, wore a white and pink Zimmermann dress with florals, paired with a straw belt and clutch, a pair of pink pumps and a headband with a pink bow by Juliette Botterill Millinery.

The next day she chose white, with a form-fitting dress that was topped with a blue and white flat top hat with slicked-back bun.

On opening day, the Countess of Wessex chose a pale pink ensemble with a wide-brimmed maroon hat, pearl-drop earrings and a pearl-encrusted brooch, while on the second day, she wore a blue lace dress with ruffles and a matching blue hat with floral adornment.

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