Royal Ascot is one of the most glittering events in the British social calendar and racegoers did not disappoint as they arrived for a second day of festivities this morning.
Glamorous women donned candy-coloured dresses and extravagant hats embellished with flowers and butterflies as they stepped out at the Berkshire racecourse.
Stars including Charlotte Hawkins, Debbie McGee and Helen Flanagan were among the first to arrive, with all three looking elegant in white ensembles.
Later Piers Morgan was spotted cheering on his bet during one of the afternoon races, donning a pink tie and carnation while clutching a glass of Champagne.
And as the party got into full swing, women in their best frocks were seen looking merry as they kicked up their heels and danced along the lawns.
However the rain soon descended on celebrations, leaving revelers soaking – but still in high spirits – as they continued their day with the addition of ponchos, umbrellas and a shot of the strong stuff.
Towards the end of the day, this pair of revellers ditched their heels – though only one came prepared with flip flips – and hit the Pimms to drown their sorrows
The Berkshire racecourse was left sodden by a sudden downpour this afternoon, with guests reaching for umbrellas (left) and ponchos (right)
Everything in the garden’s rose! A reveller clutches a glass of vino in her blue waterproof poncho (left) while another rain-soaked pair head home
A poncho-clad pair pose for a selfie with colourful Champagne flutes, grinning despite the inclement weather at Ascot this afternoon
Royal Ascot day two: Despite a promising start to the day, the rain soon descended on celebrations, leaving revelers soaking – but still in high spirits – as they continued their day with the addition of ponchos, umbrellas and a shot of the strong stuff
Royal Ascot revellers refuse to let the rain dampen their spirits as they push a horse drawn carriage free
The ground at the Berkshire racecourse was beginning to flood by the end of the day, with revellers forced to abandon heels (left)
The Queen also clutched an umbrella to protect her floral hat and outfit. She opted for a pale blue ensemble for the second day in a row
Piers Morgan cheered on his bet during one of the afternoon races, donning a pink tie and carnation while clutching a glass of Champagne
A touch of magic earlier in the day! Debbie McGee, left, Helen Flanagan, centre, and Charlotte Hawkins, right, Charlotte Hawkins, right, all looked elegant in white as they kicked off day two of the Royal Ascot
Star power: A race goer looked great in white (left) while Victoria Pendleton looked elegant in a patterned gown, right
Ascot day two! As the party got into full swing, women in their best frocks were seen kicked up their heels along the lawn
Here come the girls! Two women embrace at Ascot, right, one woman strikes a playful pose on her way inside
Splash of sunshine! Racegoers in different shades of yellow brighten up a cloudy second day at Royal Ascot this morning
A bit of all white! Racegoer Jennifer Wrynne, left, and two other elegant racegoers also got the colour memo
Finest florals: Milliner Tracy Rose, left, chose one of her own showstopping creations. Right, racegoer Jennifer Wrynne
Making an entrance: Denise Lewis, left, Darcey Bussell, centre, and Cinderella Balthazar, right, arrive at the racetrack
Summer shower: One woman draped a disposable poncho over her head as the heavens opened at Royal Ascot
Strike a pose! Two friends smile as they go in for a hug, left, while others give the peace sign to the camera, right
Putting her best foot forward: Elegant stud heels were on display as a group of well dressed friends made an entrance
Delicate: Presenter Francesca Cumani in a pretty blossom hat. Right, another racegoer went for a playful bird creation
A touch of pink: Whether it was a dress, left, Chris Hughes, centre, or in a pattern, right, there was plenty of colour on display
Candy-coloured dream! Band The Tootsie Rollers donned summer dresses and hats by London milliner Nerida Fraiman
The five-day festival, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, kicked off yesterday with stunning displays from well-heeled revellers – and an impressive royal guest list.
The Queen, 93, a lifelong racing enthusiast, was joined by several members of the Royal Family including Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge, Zara Phillips and Princess Eugenie as she officially opened the event with the traditional carriage procession.
Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands also attended.
The monarch looked less than impressed today as the heavens, and was forced to whip out an umbrella to stay dry.
Royal Ascot is a much a social occasion as a sporting event and racegoers take the opportunity to turn on the style, from chic hats and summer dresses to sharp suits.
Visitors to the high-profile racing event this year also have a wider choice of garb, as organisers say they are free to choose a gender dress code they ‘feel most comfortable’ with.
Queen Elizabeth II shelters under an umbrella as she arrives at day two of Royal Ascot, dressed in a powder blue ensemble and stunning sapphire brooch
Left: The Queen looked elegant in a blue ensemble and her favourite Launer bag as she shielded herself from the rain under an umbrella; Right: Prince Edward and Sophie Countess of Wessex watch the carriage procession from the Royal Box Royal Ascot
Princess Anne also relied on a large black brolly as well as a sensible rain coat to protect herself from the bad weather today
Right: Piers Morgan, Joan Collins and Susanna Reid at Ascot. Left: Joan Collins and husband Percy Gibson
It won’t dampen their spirits! Racegoers were forced to whip out their umbrellas as the rain started at Royal Ascot
A group of smiling racegoers don tuxedo-style ponchos and share a patriotic umbrella as they raise a glass to a fun-filled day – and two even packed plastic shoe protectors
Who wants a glass when you can have a jug? A reveller sups the last dregs of her large portion of Pimms as she watches the final races
Stuck in the mud! A woman wipes down her legs after getting dirty, left. Right, women risk a trudge across the field
One sensible reveller takes a break from the booze with a bottle of fizzy pop as she shelters under a pretty lace umbrella
Glorious in green! A woman made a fashion statement in an emerald dress and matching hat at Royal Ascot today
Society beauty: Sabrina Percy, left, was the picture of elegance. Right, model Natalia Kapchuk makes a political statement
Ready for my close up! A woman snaps a photo of her glamorous friend as racegoers start to arrive at Royal Ascot today
Hat’s extraordinary! The best (and boldest) headpieces on show at Royal Ascot
A strict formal dress code abounds at Royal Ascot but that didn’t stop racegoers on the second day of the famous racing event getting very creative with their headwear.
Yellow seems to be proving highly popular when it comes to millinery choices this year, with one band of six racegoers all opting for attire in the sunniest shade.
Despite the ongoing dreary weather; there were rainbows in the stands, with both bold colours and more delicate shades brightening up the grey skies.
Bring me sunshine! These racegoers worship at the church of yellow on the second day of Royal Ascot
Hat theatricals: This racegoer adjusts her eye-catching circular grey and black headpiece
Pretty in pink: Racegoer Tracy Rose dons a gravity-defying floral creation. Who’s behind the hat? This white and cerise affair hides its owner
Netting a win: And there was plenty of delicate veils also adding to the hat theatricals. Right: a collection of daisies formed the centrepiece for this dramatic black and yellow fascinator
These two stylish attendees offered a more original take on the wide-brimmed race hat
Feeling fruity: A trio of racing fans opted for the same A-line dresses with colourful lemon detail but wore different white headpieces
Flower power: Floaty dresses adorned with delicate peonies in purple and pink was the choice for these two ladies. Right: This lady plumped for a giant yellow rose and made quite an impact
Twice as nice: These two ladies opted for the same chiffon yellow bow as they posed for photos at the glamorous race-meet. A vision in baby pink. This show-stealing hat turned heads
Blue is the colour: This lady co-ordinates her umbrella with her bold white and blue hat, which included a flurry of white flowers
Under the changes, women will be allowed to dress like men and vice versa – as long as they stick to the rules.
This year’s Royal Enclosure dress code says ‘Gentleman’ must wear black or grey morning dress with a waist coat and tie.
‘Ladies’ are not allowed to wear strapless and off-the-shoulder dresses, while mid-riffs have to be covered and fascinators are also banned.
The Queen smiled as she arrived at Ascot racecourse in the open top carriage just before a heavy downpour
Prince Charles lends an arm to his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, as she navigates the damp grass in a pair of nude heels
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall present Frankie Dettori and owner Evelyn De Rothschild with awards after they won the 3.40 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on Crystal Ocean Action
Pictured: Amber Le Bon opted for a patterned dress on day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, seen left, while a glamorous guest went for an extravagant head piece, right
Darcey Bussell (left) presents jockey Frankie Dettori with the trophy for winning the Queen Mary Stakes with Raffle Prize during day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse
Group photo! Royal Ascot is the perfect time to snap pictures – and this group of revellers made sure they didn’t miss out
Dream teams: Handsome couples made some serious fashion statements as they arrived at Ascot Racecourse this morning
Here come the boys! It wasn’t just women who dressed to impress, gentlemen like the ones above were also well turned out
Dynamic duos! A guest in a kilt causes a stir, left, as he arrives at Ascot. Right, women pose in flowing floral maxi dresses
In bloom! A radiant racegoer poses next to the Royal Ascot photo wall on her way into the second day of the event today
Statement dresses: Red, left, and animal print, right, were both on show as racegoers brought their fashion A-game to Ascot
Race day ready! Whether it was clashing colours, left, or classic monochrome, centre and right, the women looked glamorous
Inspired by nature! Rachel Oates, from Hampshire, left, and Mrs Shane Horn, from Ascot, arriving at Royal Ascot today
Cheers! It’s time for Champagne for these racegoers in The Orangerie Bar by Moet Chandon Grand Vintage at the racecourse
Suits them! Two women sported summer suits for Ascot, left and centre. Right, milliner Lisa Tan in one of her own creations
Tartan twosome! Milliner William Chambers, right in left image, and a guest. Pictured right, Mathias Le Fevre
Bold and beautiful: Two racegoers pose for the camera as they arrive for the second day of races at Royal Ascot this morning
In previous years, it has insisted attendees cover their midriffs and avoid wearing fascinators and that still stands.
While in previous years there has been no official style guide for the Windsor Enclosure, except to dress for a formal occasion, now female attendees are requested to wear fascinators, like those in the rest of the enclosures.
Royal Ascot has put in place strict dress codes since the early 19th century .
The race gathering’s famously strict clothing rules hark back to sartorial trailblazer Beau Brummell, who dictated the dress for men in the Royal Enclosure at the turn of the 19th century and was fond of cleaning his shoes with champagne.
Mellow yellow! Demonstrating just how versatile one colour can be, a group of women make their Royal Ascot entrance
Matchy matchy! Men and women dressed in identical outfits make their way inside Ascot Racecourse to join in the fun
Say cheese! A group stop for a photo on their way into Royal Ascot this morning – where the second day is underway
Fabulous fabrics: Velvet, suede, satin and silk are expertly juxtaposed in these two stylish Royal Ascot ensembles
Dapper: Top hats and tails are required for gentlemen in certain enclosures – and these two chaps didn’t disappoint
On the approach: Racegoers dressed to the nines stroll towards Ascot Racecourse for the second day of the festival
Heavenly hats: Women wearing beautiful headpieces queued up outside Ascot Racecourse this morning, pictured
Grand arrival: Well-dressed racegoers donned their Royal Ascot finery for a second day at the Berkshire racegoers
Ready to celebrate! Royal Ascot racegoers were snapped standing in the queue at the Berkshire racecourse this morning
Festival finery: Top hats, morning suits and summer dresses were all on show as racegoers arrived at Royal Ascot
Two years ago, the event broke with convention by allowing racegoers to wear jumpsuits in the Royal Enclosure for the first time.
Organisers also announced they would try to draw in a new breed of visitors by putting on a ‘party atmosphere’ and a ‘more vibrant feel’.
Meanwhile, no changes have been made to rules for ‘Gentlemen’.
Juliet Slot, commercial director of Ascot, said: ‘Fashion and style are an important part of the Royal Ascot experience for all of our customers.’
Calm before the storm; Racegoers take a moment to themselves after arriving at Ascot Racecourse early this morning
Civilised affair: Racegoers take time to soak up the atmosphere – and bring along a potted plant to add a touch of class
Setting up camp! Racegoers worked together to put up their gazebo ahead of a morning of relaxation near Ascot Racecourse
Little touches: A man whipped out a table cloth as he prepared his picnic table for an al fresco meal at Royal Ascot today
Settled in: One well turned out chap was ready to relax and pulled out a chair by his classic car at Royal Ascot today
Ready for a picnic! Laden with bags and fresh baguettes make their way to their spot ahead of Royal Ascot today
Making an entrance: Racegoers arrive by traditional carriage ahead of the second day of the five-day racing festival
Clear roads! Special measures were put in place to allow for Ascot arrivals, including this traditional carriage
Giddy up! Racegoers arrive by horse and cart for the second day of the Royal Ascot festival in Berkshire this morning
Briefed: Smartly-dressed stewards stand ready for the crowds ahead of the second day of Royal Ascot today
A couple braved the miserable weather, with a lady wearing an emerald green dress and designer shoes shielding herself under a poncho
Avid racegoers stood underneath umbrellas as they continued to watch the races
Glamorous guests braved the rain under umbrellas as they hurried through the racecourse under umbrellas
Nothing will dampen their spirits! Excited Race-goers watch a race at day two of Royal Ascot, in Ascot
Left: Sarah Ann Macklin, wearing hat by Jess Collett Right: (L-R) Daisy Knatchbull, wearing hat by Laura Cathcart, Sabrina Percy, wearing hat by Suzannah and Emily London and Amber Le Bon, wearing hat by Jane Taylor on day 2 of Royal Ascot
Colourful racegoers at Royal Ascot showed off their chic ensembles and hats on June 19, 2019 in Ascot
Two women looked upbeat in their belted dresses, chain bags and netted head gear as they enjoyed the day
Liam Payne looked dapper in his top hat and tail on day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse
Frankie Dettori riding Crystal Ocean (yellow cap) celebrate winning The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on day two of Royal Ascot
Frankie Dettori celebrates after he rides Crystal Ocean to win The Prince of Wales’s Stakes on day two of Royal Ascot
