Racing culture: Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
British racing culture is full of unique traditions, heritage and pageantry, none more so than Royal Ascot Week.
Royal Ascot dates back to 1711, and takes place annually for 5 days in June at the Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, near Windsor. It's an event enjoyed all over Britain, not only for the horseracing, but also for the fashion, in particular, ladies and their hats! The most famous day of Royal Ascot is Ladies Day, which traditionally takes place on the Thursday.
Ladies Day is a sensational day out, and is a great experience, even if you're not a passionate horseracing fan. People from all over the country flock to Ascot to be a part of Ladies Day, where women showcase all manner of weird and wonderful hats.
It also draws a number of celebrities and members of the Royal Family, meaning there's always someone to look at! Although it's Ladies Day, men aren't left out - they're required to wear black or grey morning suits, complete with waistcoat and top hat, like a true English gentleman.
But there's more to Ladies Day than hats - after all, Ascot is about horseracing. The Gold Cup, a 2.5mile race for a £225,000 prize takes place in the afternoon. So place your bets and enjoy the excitement, the falls and the thrills of the race.
After the last race of the day, you'll be invited to join in Ascot's traditional communal singing around the bandstand, accompanied by a military band. It's a traditional part of the Royal Ascot experience and they provide songbooks, so there's no excuse to not take part!
Royal Ascot is a highlight of the summer sporting calendar, and Ladies Day is an event not to be missed. It's a great excuse to find the largest hat you can, dress up, and enjoy a day at the races in the sun.
For more information, visit Royal Ascot (www.ascot.co.uk/).