Princess Eugenie wears an engagement worthy outfit to the first day at the Royal Ascot races
Princess Eugenie of York was giving off major bride vibes at the Royal Ascot horse racing event which kicked off recently. The royal fashion at any edition of Ascot is quite the view but this year was something special. Especially since Meghan Markle, the new addition to the royal family was also making her debut at Ascot, all eyes were on these royal fashionistas.
The Royal Ascot is quite a prestigious event where you can see guests offering varied interpretations of the dress code via elaborate headpieces, flamboyant suits, and chic ensembles. It's one of those occasions where members of the royal family, especially, are keenly watched when it comes to their sartorial choices. Who knew maintaining glamor on the race course is such a tough job?
Racegoers, on the other hand, chose to sip beer, wine and bottles of Champagne as the action got underway at the five-day start to the British racing season. The start was indeed a glamorous affair with women arriving at the Berkshire course in a vibrant burst of floral summer frocks, brightly-colored dresses and outlandish hats. However, as we mentioned the cynosure of all eyes on day one were the ladies from the royal family.
Eugenie went with an all-white ensemble. A pretty solid colored white wrap dress that featured a neat little bow at the waist, cinching the dress and producing an elegant and stylish effect. The dress ended below the knee and had large well-tailored yet airy sleeves. She paired this look with a nude and gold clutch and a pair of white pumps with gold detailing on the edges. A flat white fascinator sat on her head, which reminds one of a hotpot lid. A tassel dangled from the fascinator in the front and her short loose curls were neatly tucked behind her ear. She kept a pretty fresh face for the event, with just a hint of kohl in her eyes and peach blush and a nude pink lip. Does this remind you of any other royal wedding? Perhaps the May 19 one?
This look was like a predecessor ensemble to her October nuptials. The princess is to wed her longtime boyfriend, Jack Brooksbank, later this year. Eugenie's actual wedding day attire could mirror her Royal Ascot outfit, but then October 12 is quite far away now and who knows by then maybe the princess could get some royal inspiration.
Or she could, like Meghan, decide on her wedding dress designer months in advance and keep the public guessing over which designer and dress she will be going with on her royal wedding day. Princess Eugenie has attended the races for several years and has often been the cynosure of all eyes for her fashion choices. This time seems like she's one among the fashion police's favorites.
Last year, Princess Eugenie received a lot of flack for her all-black ensemble and things seem to have definitely improved this year. Her dress last year featured intricate floral patterns which she paired with a thin black studded belt and black pumps. She wore a flat fascinator then as well. The sleeveless dress looked kind of out of place - it would have been more apt for a funeral. It was unflattering and added more bulk to her frame. It was a bright summer's day and black was just a strange choice, indeed.
This year, she attended the Ascot races with her sister Beatrice who decided to go with a sky blue Claire Mischevani lace dress, a matching fascinator and a pair of shiny nude pumps. The full sleeves really added the chic factor to this look. Clearly, Mischevani is Princess Beatrice's designer of choice. At last year's event, she wore a feminine, floral dress by the same British designer. The royal sisters sat with Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, during the event's Royal Procession carriage ride.
Princess Eugenie is said to have worn a London-based brand called Osman, her hat is by Emily London, her shoes Valentino, and her clutch is from luxury handbag designer called M2Malletier. As for Beatrice, she wore designer Mischevani's creation, a hat by Juliette Botterill, and Kurt Geiger shoes.
Meghan too opted for a more appropriate ensemble for the event. She chose a feather-adorned Philip Treacy hat, paired with a white, button-down billowy Givenchy dress with long sleeves with an embroidered waist. She wore a pair of black pointy pumps, carried a black box clutch to match with the hat, which was a white and black piece. The hat had a thin and long bow on the side and perched on the side of Meghan's neatly tied bun. Truly, the messy buns were kind of getting overbearing.
The outfit, it seems, does bear resemblance to a look the late Princess Diana wore to the same venue in 1991. Diana's outfit was cream and chocolate, the contrast trim on the hat and the floral embroidery on the sleeves of her dress are both referenced in Meghan's outfit. Seems like Meghan is never going to escape from the comparisons.
It's the second time in a week that Meghan has appeared to take inspiration from her late mother-in-law. Last week, her outfit to Celia McCorquodale's wedding was again compared to Diana's previous choice of outfit. Meghan wore an Oscar de la Renta summer gown that featured little blue flowers, long billowy sleeves, and a wrap style front. She accessorized this dress with a white titled fascinator, matching clutch and a pair of nude pumps. This, royal fashion watchers claim, is fairly similar to a blue-and-white dress by Catherine Walker Diana wore during a trip to Saudi Arabia with Prince Charles in 1986.