The Boldest Hats at Royal Ascot (Trust Us When We Say They’re Extravagant!)

Sometimes a great accessory makes the outfit. But in the royal world, the accessory basically is the outfit. Case in point: The crazy, bold hats at Royal Ascot, a five-day horse race attended by Queen Elizabeth and members of the royal family. We rounded up some famous royals in their impressive toppers and a few other attendees at the races, whose hats are so out there that they deserve some extra attention.

Princess Eugenie of York and Princess Beatrice of York Samir Hussein/WireImage

Princess Beatrice of York kicked off the extravagant hat parade in a blue-and-orange wide-brim topper, while her sister Princess Eugenie opted for a smaller elegant lace-adorned chapeau set high on her head. Thursday marked “Ladies Day” at Ascot, and the daughters of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, definitely looked elegant in their dresses.

Royal Ascot Chris Jackson/Getty, Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, goes gray in an extra-wide brim feathered cap, which she paired with dazzling pearl cluster earrings and a light sweater. Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Phillips had a matchy-matchy moment in a gray hat topped with a large yellow flower to match her sunshine-y dress and delicate diamond jewels.

While the royals may have worn their “toned down” toppers at Royal Ascot, other Ascot attendees brought out the big guns, showing off their elaborate, one-of-a-kind creations, which no douct took days (if not weeks!) to create. See some of the most head-turning styles below.

Royal Ascot Chris Jackson/Getty