Royal Tatscot!
Forget the upper crust, now it’s full of chat show hosts and reality TV stars
FOR 300 years it has been a favourite place to watch the nation’s top thoroughbreds compete to impress.
But it seems that these days Royal Ascot may lack a little of the style of yesteryear – when it comes to the crowd it attracts.
Whereas the prestigious race meeting was once the preserve of the upper crust, this year has seen a line-up of celebrities from what could be seen as the less refined side of entertainment.
One exclusive box was filled yesterday with the stars of daytime television, including tawdry chat show host Jeremy Kyle and reality courtroom judge Robert Rinder.
Kyle, 52, and Rinder, 40, posed for group selfies with other guests including talent show host Declan Donnelly, 42, and adventurer Ben Fogle, 44.
Good Morning Britain presenters Piers Morgan, 53, Susanna Reid, 47, and Charlotte Hawkins, 43, also joined the fun in the £1,000-a-head box, with the snaps being posted on social media.
At one point Donnelly – who was accompanied by his pregnant wife Ali Astall – and Kyle were seen ribbing Morgan at the end of a race for failing to back their hop tip after his chosen horse trailed in.
Kyle, a race horse owner, said: ‘I love Ascot, it’s a good day out but it’s different. It’s all about the social aspect.’
While the Duchess of Sussex stole the show on Tuesday with a stunningly elegant black and white ensemble, the same colour combination worked less well 24 hours later for Kirsty Gallacher.
The 42-year- old former Sky Sports presenter caused jaws to drop with a very low- cut polka dot midi dress that exposed her cleavage.
Miss Gallacher, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing three years ago, teamed the Rixo gown with a wide-brimmed black hat.
Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo, 23, wore a bright yellow floral dress that some remarked looked like old-fashioned curtain material. Others in the 40,000 crowd at the Berkshire racecourse included football pundit Robbie Savage and former manager Alan Pardew.
Sir Mo Farah made his first appearance at Royal Ascot. The Olympic athlete, who won four gold medals on the track, looked smart in a top hat and tails as he arrived with wife Tania to present the prizes after one of the races.
Sir Mo, 35, said: ‘I haven’t been here before but I’m looking forward to it.’