The most outrageous Royal Ascot hats ever

June 14, 2021Jun 14, 2021, 10:38 AM GMT+1

Royal Ascot is one of the highlights of the summer for the Queen and the Royal Family. Sadly, last year's installment was not open to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic, but this year races will be held from June 15 to 19.

While the Royal Family members who grace the races at one of the most prestigious social events of the summer sometimes steal the show, Royal Ascot and its strict dress code also sees some show-stopping accessories.

Since hats remain compulsory, British society ladies have celebrated the annual horse-racing event while showcasing their sense of style with some truly wild headpieces.

From royal baby-themed fascinators to elaborate, structural chapeaus, scroll through the gallery – or click through, if you're on desktop – for the most outrageous Ascot hats ever...

Photos: © Getty Images

This racing fan stepped out with an appropriate selection of books on her head for Day 3 in 2019!

Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

We love this look, compete with teacups and a teapot pouring floral tea onto this woman's head!

Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

This attendee was horsing around with her headpiece – a colourful painted picture of an equine character, complete with feather flourishes!

Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage

Racegoer Jackie St Clair was ready to take flight with her bird-themed headpiece, complete with a bird cage and ivy vines.

Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage

Isabell Kristensen didn't have to stop to smell the roses at Royal Ascot – she was wearing one!

Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage

Somewhere over the rainbow (and the feathers!) Royal Ascot was in full swing.

Photo: © Leon Neal/Getty Images

This attendee brought a taste of the tropics to the races on a sunny day, donning an oversized confection that included philodendron leaves, orchids, birds of paradise and a Toucan to boot!

Photo: © Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

This geometric fascinator looked like a science experiment!

Photo: © Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Racegoer Katrin Fahrenbruck had fellow revellers seeing red thanks to her feathery spiral topper.

Photo: © Leon Neal/Getty Images

Guest Debra Day tulle-d around with the equestrian theme.

Photo: Getty Images

Actress Anna Friel took "a feather in your cap" to a whole new level.

Photo: © Getty Images

Aviation-themed hats made a splash on Ladies Day.

Photo: © Getty Images

This guest made a rosy impression on day two of Ascot 2016.

Photo: Getty Images

This equestrian fan's hat is in full bloom.

Photo: © Getty Images

Talk about scooping out the competition. This elaborate headpiece made of plastic spoons caught everyone's attention at the races.

Photo: © Getty Images

This Ascot attendee was the cherry on top of Ladies Day.

Photo: © Getty Images

A patriotic racing fan recreated the Union Jack with this colourful topper.

Photo: © Getty Images

Staying true to the event's raison d'être, a pair of equestrian enthusiasts wore chapeaus in the shape of pink horses.

Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

This determined Ascot-goer was not about to let a little weight bear down on her over-the-top fashion parade. Photo: © Getty

Another fashion-forward guest wanted a hat that would be "out of this world." Mission accomplished!

Photo: © CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images

Eccentric British TV presenter Anneka Svenska stood out from the Ascot crowd in a sculptural headpiece, worthy of a place in a bestselling children's book.

Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage

One racegoer was keen to flaunt her British pride with a tea party-inspired hat complete with blackberry tarts and teacups.

Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage

How grand: This woman's piano-themed hat hit all the right Ascot style notes.

Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage

Racegoer Laura Nelson carried the likeness of the Olympic torch on her crown as a tribute to the international games.

Photo: © Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

A fromage fiend wore an oversized hat shaped like blue stilton cheese.

Inspired by the UK artist Louise Dear, model Carla Creegan wore a lavish piece of art on her head as commissioned by Castle Galleries.

Prince George mania had reached its peak when this royalist wore a royal baby-themed chapeau in 2013.

An elaborate, Union Jack-inspired headpiece is not out of place at the Royal Ascot, where British-themed hats of all shapes and sizes are the order of the day.

A female racegoer was out to impress in a hat made from peacock feathers at the annual event.

This creative lady took the racing theme quite literally, donning a miniature sculpture of a race track on her wide-brimmed hat.

This racegoer's flamboyant flamingo fascinator seems rather conservative by comparison.

Fashion designer Larisa Katz put her avant-garde skills to good use by constructing an elaborate ensemble made entirely out of chocolate packaging.

Photo: © Getty

Can you bee-lieve this racegoer's hat from 2019?

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