Known for its ties to British nobility, the weeklong Royal Ascot is Britain’s most popular horse race, seeing around 300,000 guests each year. Queen Elizabeth II was a regular at the event, which it’s also attended by celebrities and socialites.
Aside from prize-winning thoroughbreds, Royal Ascot is known for its strict dress code, which dates back to the 1700s. Today, women and men are still required to sport hats, fascinators or headpieces.
Ahead, a look back at some of the trendiest Royal Ascot toppers over the years.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1913
Image Credit: Mirrorpix via Getty Images Guests attend Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1927
Image Credit: Mirrorpix via Getty Images Guests attend Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1934
Image Credit: SSPL via Getty Images Elsa Schiaparelli design for Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1955
Image Credit: PA Images via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret attend Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1962
Image Credit: Mirrorpix via Getty Images Bunty Kinsman attends Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1970
Image Credit: Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne and the Queen Mother attend Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1976
Image Credit: Getty Images Dame Edna attends Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1978
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Get Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother attend Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1981
Image Credit: Getty Images Princess Diana attends Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1988
Image Credit: Getty Images Princess Diana attends Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1990
Image Credit: Getty Images Princess Diana attends Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1996
Image Credit: UK Press via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh attend Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 1998
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Get Joan Collins attends Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 2004
Image Credit: UK Press via Getty Images Elizabeth Hurley attends Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 2006
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Get Princess Anne and Sophie, Countess of Wessex attend Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 2008
Image Credit: WireImage Helen Mirren attends Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 2012
Image Credit: UK Press via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II And Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall attend Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 2018
Image Credit: PA Images via Getty Images Meghan Markle attends Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 2021
Image Credit: Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II attends Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot Hats Through the Years: 2022
Image Credit: Getty Images Kate Middleton attends Royal Ascot.