High hat fashion shares the stage at Britain‘s Royal Ascot horse races

Yahoo News Photo Staff

Members of British society and the royal family have donned their finest hats and fancy outfits for the Royal Ascot horse races.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip; Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla; and Prince William and Kate Middleton opened the annual week of racing in a traditional carriage procession.

The highlight of Ascot’s year, Royal Ascot week dates back to 1711 when it was founded by Queen Anne.

Here’s a look at some of the fun high hat fashion.

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<p>A racegoer at the Royal Ascot horse races on June 23, 2017 in Ascot, Britain. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Plane ole’ hat

A racegoer at the Royal Ascot horse races on June 23, 2017 in Ascot, Britain. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Butterflies and feathers

A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Big red rose

A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Butterfly hunter

A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Picnic lunch

A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Exotica

A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Garden wear

A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Playful puffs

A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Soft pink elegance

A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Birdland

A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Timely

A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Pot up top

A racegoer during Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Britain on June 22, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer at Ascot Racecourse at the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Pink rose on yellow

A racegoer at Ascot Racecourse at the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>Anna Gilthorpe, right with Khiley Williams, Meg Gallagher, Katy Heavens, and Lisa Millar pose for photographers on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) </p>
Retro girls

Anna Gilthorpe, right with Khiley Williams, Meg Gallagher, Katy Heavens, and Lisa Millar pose for photographers on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

<p>A racegoer attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images) </p>
Horse on top

A racegoer attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images)

<p>A female racegoer’s hat during day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images) </p>
Lots of feathers

A female racegoer’s hat during day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)

<p>Edita Ligere poses for photographers wearing a large feathered hat on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) </p>
Blue ostrich

Edita Ligere poses for photographers wearing a large feathered hat on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

<p>A racegoer poses for photographers on the second day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) </p>
Bullseye

A racegoer poses for photographers on the second day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

<p>Racegoers arrive at Ascot Racecourse for the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Embroidered duo

Racegoers arrive at Ascot Racecourse for the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer poses for photographers on the second day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) </p>
Butterflies and roses

A racegoer poses for photographers on the second day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Wednesday, June 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

<p>A racegoer attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images) </p>
Gold flowers on red

A racegoer attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images)

<p>Extravagant hats are the order of the day in the Royal Enclosure on the opening day of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) </p>
White rose on black

Extravagant hats are the order of the day in the Royal Enclosure on the opening day of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

<p>A racegoer attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images) </p>
Halloween hat

A racegoer attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images)

<p>Lizzie Cundy attends Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty Images) </p>
Full bloom

Lizzie Cundy attends Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty Images)

<p>A spectator makes their way to the grandstand during day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse) </p>
Royal red

A spectator makes their way to the grandstand during day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse)

<p>Isabell Kristensen attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage) </p>
Pink gather

Isabell Kristensen attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage)

<p>Sofia Hayat (C) attends Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty Images) </p>
Fun hat trio

Sofia Hayat (C) attends Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty Images)

<p>A racegoer wears an ornate hat as she arrives for the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) </p>
Purple feathers

A racegoer wears an ornate hat as she arrives for the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

<p>Milja Kljajic arriving during day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images) </p>
Plastic look

Milja Kljajic arriving during day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images)

<p>A view of a racegoers hat at the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Rose trellis

A view of a racegoers hat at the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer at the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017. (Rupert Hartley/REX/Shutterstock) </p>
Reflective sculpture

A racegoer at the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017. (Rupert Hartley/REX/Shutterstock)

<p>A racegoer attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images) </p>
Magenta spray

A racegoer attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images)

<p>A female racegoer’s floral fascinator during day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2017. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images) </p>
Feather limbs

A female racegoer’s floral fascinator during day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2017. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)

<p>Wilnelia Merced attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images) </p>
Racing fan

Wilnelia Merced attends the first day off Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Anwar Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images)

<p>Samantha Gibbs, from Ascot, during day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2017. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images) </p>
Powder blue

Samantha Gibbs, from Ascot, during day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2017. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)

<p>Racegoer Janet Larose, from New York, during day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on june 21, 2017. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images) </p>
Court jester

Racegoer Janet Larose, from New York, during day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on june 21, 2017. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)

<p>A racegoer arrives at Ascot Racecourse for the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017.<br> (BPI/Hugh Routledge/REX/Shutterstock) </p>
Blue hair swirl

A racegoer arrives at Ascot Racecourse for the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017.
(BPI/Hugh Routledge/REX/Shutterstock)

<p>A racegoer at Ascot Racecourse at the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters) </p>
Spanish flavor

A racegoer at Ascot Racecourse at the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017. (Toby Melville/Reuters)

<p>A racegoer arrives at Ascot Racecourse for the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017.<br> (Rupert Hartley/REX/Shutterstock) </p>
Greenery

A racegoer arrives at Ascot Racecourse for the Royal Ascot on June 20, 2017.
(Rupert Hartley/REX/Shutterstock)

<p>Eleanor Tomlinson attends Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) </p>
Simply white

Eleanor Tomlinson attends Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

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