Kate’s style inspiration isn’t hard to spot...
...and Carrie looks like a winner too
FOR a day at the races, it seems she shares the same soft spot for a polka dot as her late mother-in-law.
The Duchess of Cambridge dazzled at Royal Ascot yesterday in a dress similar in design to one worn by Princess Diana in 1988.
Kate, 40, looked elegant in a £1,970 high-neck design by Alessandra Rich with brown polka dots and a brown SallyAnn Provan hat with white floral detail.
It comes 34 years after Diana sported a dress with the same dark polka dots and slanted hat which she topped off with a simple pearl necklace and crisp white gloves. Kate completed her own look with a conscious nod to her late mother-in-law by wearing a pair of glistening diamond and pearl drop earrings worn by Diana in the 1990s.
A beaming Kate and William were greeted by huge cheers and applause as they led the traditional carriage procession at Ascot.
The Duke of Cambridge wore traditional morning dress required by Ascot’s strict dress code with a light blue tie and military tiepin.
The pair were joined in their carriage alongside The Hon Arthur Vestey, a personal friend of the prince, with whom he plays polo, and his wife The Hon Mrs Martha Vestey. She was seen clutching her racing sheet in the royal box and making the Duchess of Cambridge laugh as they prepared to watch The Albany Stakes, the first race of the day.
Punters enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere but the sweltering heat, with temperatures reaching 31C (88F), forced organisers to relax the strict dress code.
Gentlemen were allowed to remove their top hats and ties, and ladies were allowed to remove their hats, but only after the royal procession had finished at around 2.15pm.
A spokesman for Royal Ascot said: ‘This is all to do with the consideration of safety and guests are able to bring in soft drinks and water to stay hydrated and comfortable in this lovely weather.’ One notable absence was the Queen, who has attended every royal meet at Ascot since acceding to the throne in 1952, apart from those held behind closed doors due to the pandemic.
She was said to be watching on television from Windsor Castle a short drive away.
The Prime Minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, was seen smiling and laughing as she arrived wearing a white dress by Emilia Wickstead rented from MyWardrobeHQ for the occasion along with a white hat featuring three golden horses.
The mother of two looked relaxed as she joined friends while her husband had more pressing matters – a flight to Kyiv for his second surprise visit with President Volodymyr Zelensky.