The Ascot Archives
A Royal style recap & my notes from Day 5 in the Royal Enclosure.
Hello lovelies!
We’re back (no matter how hard I try, it seems custom to somehow skip one of my weekly Substack posts, apologies). You can forgive me immediately though because Ascot content is here & if you’ve been following along the MMTD Instagram, you’ll know MMTD was there!
This year’s much anticipated rendition of Royal Ascot did not disappoint, with two appearances from newlyweds Harriet & Peter Phillips, the Princess of Wales making a bright yellow return, a royal refused entry mistakenly & a guest carriage appearance from none other than Stanley Tucci. Where to begin!
THE ROYAL RUNDOWN
Two words. Zara Tindall. The spirited daughter of Princess Anne & Olympic equestrian attended three glorious days of Royal Ascot, debuting one ensemble more breathtaking than the other on each occasion.
The beaming mother of three was the very picture of style during the busy week of horse racing meets unrivalled elegance, appearing in classic spring shades of lilac and butter yellow (last summer’s colour of the season that prevailed at Ascot this year also) alongside a Pretty Woman-esque polkadot A-Line piece.
Zara’s sister-in-law, the beautiful Harriet Sperling (now Phillips) made two Royal Ascot appearances alongside husband Peter - one of which we got to see in real life on Day 5, last Saturday! The glowing newlyweds, who seemingly recently returned from honeymoon, looked the picture of happiness in the parade ring & Royal Box as they greeted family and friends and took in the action.
Breathtaking in baby blue, Harriet donned Suzannah London with Jimmy Choo heels and Pragnell diamond earrings, echoing the jewellery choice of her chic wedding day just a few weekends ago on June 6.
On Day 5, the newest member of the British Royal Family wore a white, lace sleeved midi dress, both reminiscent of Princess Catherine’s style & perhaps a second nod to her recent wedding day past. The beautiful piece is from a Harriet & Kate favourite brand - Beulah London (the brand’s co-founder Natasha attended Harriet’s wedding day, see here).
The Princess of Wales was back at Royal Ascot this year alongside the dapper Prince of Wales, following a three year break. The beloved Royal donned a statement hat in bright mustard shades with a flowy Roskanda A-Line worn to the 2022 Wimbledon final and her three-strand pearl bracelet, spotted a few times this month (Harriet and Peter’s wedding being one occasion!)
Ladies Amelia and Eliza Spencer were also out in full force on Day 3, stunning in corresponding baby pink shades of wonderful Holland Cooper Clothing, matching white Mary-Jane kitten heels & delicate crystal jewellery (adore Lady Amelia’s Jackie O style pillbox hat).
Not a royal beside reigning in Love Island fan hearts, but a moment for Maura Higgins. No notes. Fabulous!
ROYAL ENCLOSURE ESCAPADES
And finally - our own Ascot notes. We were delighted to very kindly be invited as a guest by a friend to the Royal Enclosure on Day 5, on Saturday 20th June and had a very splendid time (see snippets below).
It was surreal to be at the Racecourse and admist the Royal throng on an occasion we’ve admired for years, particularly to see the new and very happy Harriet & Peter Phillips in the flesh after reporting on them since the beginning of their public romance.
The day was a splendid blur - of British aplomb & flying hooves, classic elegance & very impeccable style. 2pm was when it all began, the Royal Procession descending down the Ascot turf, the Straight Mile, and sweeping Windsor backdrop in their carriages. As they pass down the track, the National Anthem sounds out and then there’s the mad rush to the Parade Ring where the carriages circle and the Royals exit to their Box.
I’m wearing a Lemon Corsage asymmetrical piece by Coast, which matched very nicely with my bright yellow badge, paired with tan Dune heels (a chunky heel was perfect for grass & walking) and a hat & bag stolen from my very kind mother.
A dreamy return to a world gone by
A fabulous day and the Bandstand sing-a-long of some old classics after the races topped it all off wonderfully. The day was like a return to the ‘50s… an opulent taste of classic England, UK pride & a lively way of life, where smart dressing & honouring occasions amongst one’s closest friends reigned supreme. There is no occasion like it and it’s wonderful that such a week of eventing has been preserved so delicately to this modern age, led of course by our wonderful Royal Family.
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Mwah,
MMTD editor