Kate Middleton channels Princess Diana's 1988 Royal Ascot style in chic polka dots
Kate Middleton looked effortlessly gorgeous in a polka dots dress as she and Prince William joined racegoers at Ascot on Friday, 17 June, in Berkshire. The Duchess of Cambridge along with Duke of Cambridge waved to delighted spectators as they were spotted by fans in the parade ring. They have not visited Royal Ascot since 2019.
As temperatures soared, Kate remained cool in a £1,970 Alessandra Rich polka dot dress, accessorizing with a handcrafted Sally-Ann Provan hat and Princess Diana's diamond and pearl earrings. Wills donned a suit, waistcoat, and hat at Ascot in 1988, while the Princess of Wales wore a similar ensemble in 1988. The Cambridges led the traditional carriage parade of royal visitors, however, the Queen was once again absent from the historic racecourse. Following in the carriage were Peter Phillips and Lindsay Wallace, who attended a variety of engagements with the Queen's grandson throughout the Platinum Jubilee weekend.
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June 15, 1988: Princess Diana attended the Royal Ascot race in Ascot ,United Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/El6Y4g6Niu
— Dawn2.0 (@dawn_brunk) June 15, 2018
Kate, 40, was seen with a speechless expression on her face as she attempted to guess the winner of the Royal Ascot. As Perfect Power won the Commonwealth Cup, the Duchess glanced in surprise at a visitor in the royal box, and William stepped up to his wife, smiling. The couple exchanged a few more glances before disappearing, likely to receive the prizes. Kate's dress was very similar to what Princess Diana wore on June 15, 1988, in Ascot. Carrie Johnson was among those who came out for the fourth day of racing.
On the hottest day of the year so far, scores of racegoers and horses were hospitalized for heatstroke as the sun shone on them. "They were dropping like flies," one staff member stated to The Sun. Due to the expected high temperatures, males in all enclosures were permitted to remove their coats and ties once the customary royal carriage parade has concluded, which is generally just after 2 p.m. Stephen Dixon, spokesperson for the Met Office, stated to the outlet: "One thing we are keeping an eye on is Royal Ascot."The highest maximum temperature we've had on a day is 32.8 degrees, which is taken from a nearby station in Reading near Royal Ascot." He added: "It's looking like it could be around 31 degrees in Reading today, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of it perhaps rising into 32, and then obviously getting closer to that record, but it's something that might be quite close to being the hottest Royal Ascot on record."
The 96-year-old Queen did not attend Friday's celebration; she watched earlier events on television from Windsor. Reach for the Moon, a strong favorite of the Queen, and rider Frankie Dettori were defeated by winner Claymore on Thursday, 16 June. Dettori, 51, finished second on Saga, another horse owned by the Queen, while her last entrant, Tactical, finished a dismal eighth in the grand finale.