The Princess of Wales makes a triumphant return to Royal Ascot 2026
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They join the ranks of the well-spruced revellers who turned heads for all the right reasons yesterday when the inaugural style idol of the event was, naturally, Zara Tindall. The equestrian daughter of Princess Anne put on a pastel-hued-to-perfection, puff-sleeved custom lilac ensemble designed by Rebecca Vallance. ‘What I love about Ascot is that people still genuinely enjoy dressing for the occasion… It’s one of the few events where style remains such an important part of the experience, and I think that’s something worth celebrating,’ said Vallance.
Zara paired the belted, scallop-hemmed lapel look with a coordinating Juliette Botteril wide brim boater which featured an intricate floral-inspired embellishment, a matching Anya Hindmarch top-handle bag and suede Emmy London pumps. A staple attendee of the event, we’ll no doubt be seeing much more of Tindall’s winning racetrack-ready regalia as we head through the week.
Joining Tindall in the best dressed class of ’26 was the latest royal bride and Tindall’s sister-in-law, Harriet Sperling, who just last weekend tied the knot with Peter Phillips in a custom lace number from Emilia Wickstead. For her first Ascot outing as Mrs Phillips, she chose a powder-blue button-down high-neck dress by Suzannah London which she paired with a floral-adorned saucer in a matching hue, icy sling-backs and an emerald clutch.
Another fabulous face in the royal carriage was opera It-girl and Glyndebourne chatelaine, Danielle de Niese. The soprano supreme was spotted tucked behind the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in the third horse-drawn cart next to her husband, Gus Christie. The former Tatler cover star looked quintessentially leading lady-fabulous in a watercolour print dress, hitting the high notes of glamour with a swirling scarlet hat.
It was a decidedly dazzling debut day for the nation’s favourite races. But, hang on to your hats (pun intended), there’s still three more days to go…
Stay tuned for updates on Royal Ascot 2026’s best dressed guests