Glamorous racegoers donned all their finery to descend on Epsom Racecourse this morning in celebration of Ladies Day – but were left attempting to protect their ensembles from the wind and rain.
Ladies Day features the third Classic race of the season, The Betfred Oaks. This highly-anticipated race day is also a chance for racegoers to showcase their style, with colourful dresses, wide-brimmed hats and fancy fascinators.
But the unpredictable British weather saw revellers sharing shawls and sheltering under jackets as rain fell at the racecourse this afternoon.
Others were clutching onto their oversized fascinators and were concerned that they would blow away as the event was hit with high winds.
Although the skies were grey and overcast in Surrey, that did not dampen the spirit of revellers who looked excited to watch a day of racing.
It’s Pimm’s O’Clock! Two racegoers smile as they hold up their jugs of the summer cocktail
A group of racegoers take sips of their beer as they don smart three-piece suits
Ladies Day racegoers look in high spirits as they clink their glasses and prepare for a day of racing
Double trouble: Two women beam as they pose with their cans of drink at Epsom today
One racegoer looked chic in a white floaty dress which exposed her back as she paired it with a classy hairband and lace gloves, pictured left. Pictured right, another racegoer poses with a can of G&T, enjoying a morning tipple before the races begin
Twice as nice! These pairs put on equally glamorous displays in their colourful dresses
Drink up! Two racegoers look as though they’re having a nice time at Epsom as they sip their beverages
Pose for the camera! One reveller sported a classic monochrome dress and black heels whilst another donned an orange and pink frock
More prepared individuals looked comfortable under their large, sturdy umbrellas, whereas others were left using their clothing to keep dry.
Ladies Day is the first day of The Betfred Derby Festival 2024, which will take place at Epsom Downs Racecourse on Friday 31 May and Saturday 1 June.
The event also attracted royalty, as King Charles and Queen Camilla made an appearance at Ladies Day.
The monarch was wearing a stylish brown trench coat with a corduroy collar which he paired with a matched grey chequered suit, crisp white shirt, patterned tie and polished shoes.
Camilla opted for a duck egg blue co-ord consisting of a blazer and a long pencil skirt and she matched this with sensible nude heels, a white fedora hat and a cream trench coat.
She donned all her finery today and decided to wear her stacked pearl necklace and matching earring set.
As the earliest attendees arrived, they were in an array of bright colours as well as chic neutral tones.
A trio stepped out in bright colours today, despite the grey skies and windy weather in Surrey
Two racegoers look excited for the day ahead as they take selfies with their drinks
Revellers were getting out their umbrellas and huddling up in tiny shawls as they braved the weather
Ladies Day is the chance for racegoers to show off their style and creative flair as they don sheer dresses
Glamorous racegoers donned all their finery to descend on Epson Racecourse this morning in celebration of Ladies Day today
Racegoers scrubbed up for the event in floor-length dresses and chic trousersuits like this stylish white ensemble, pictured left. Pictured right, other racegoers ditched the dresses in favour of a more practical jumpsuit
Two racegoers looked less than satisfied with the British weather as rain starts to fall in Surrey
One reveller used her fluffy cardigan to protect her spotty sage dress from getting drenched
King Charles and Queen Camilla made an appearance at Epsom today
A group of revellers looked merry as they make their way into the racecourse in Surrey today
Hold onto your hats! One reveller clutched onto her fascintator to ensure it did not blow away
The King looked stylish in a brown trench coat and polished shoes, while Camilla donned a pair of nude heels and a duck egg blue ensemble
One racegoer donned a vibrant orange spotty dress with a white cardigan complete with a fascinator
Say cheese! Two friends donned opposite outfits as one opted to wear pink and another went for a baby blue frock
Here come the girls! Glamorous guests showcase their fashion prowess at the racecourse
Charlotte Hawkins (pictured right) joined other guests in showcasing their stylish ensembles
Jade Holland Cooper speaks to King Charles and Queen Camilla at the event
A group of women smile for the camera as they look excited to watch the races at Epsom today
Cheers! Two women hold up their pitchers of Pimm’s lemonade as they enjoy the races
Before midday, racegoers were snapped clinking their glasses and making a toast to the day ahead whilst holding a bottle of champagne.
Another put on a leggy display in a short floral ruffled dress as she posed for the camera holding her can of Gin and Tonic.
One racegoer donned a bold, black flared sequin jumpsuit which she paired with a corset-style belt and a fascinator.
She styled her ginger tresses in a curly blowdry as she pinned her hair up behind her large, oversized hat.
Another reveller opted for a strikingly different look and instead sported bright pastel colours.
Hold onto your hats, ladies! Racegoers were left battling the windy weather at today’s event
A racegoer looks dapper in a chequered suit as he holds his drink at the event today
A group of racegoers sit down in the stands as they don their finery and enjoy the day
A group of racegoers shelter under their umbrellas after they arrive at the races
A man tops up champagne as racegoers started drinking at midday and prepare to watch the races
One woman looked overjoyed as she sheltered under her black umbrella
Two women pose for the cameras as they attend Epsom racecourse in Surrey today
One woman looks less than impressed with the British weather as she sits on a bench with her umbrella and drinks
Jade Holland Cooper looked classy as she attended the event in Surrey in a spotty navy dress, pearl necklace and a £400 Holland Cooper Chelsea Saddle Bag
One reveller opted for a unique zebra print fascinator that had pink flowers on it and coordinated with her outfit
One racegoer came prepared and held a large umbrella as he sported a dapper suit and a sophisticated top hat
Matching duo! Two friends went to the event in similar off-the-shoulder dresses, with one wearing orange and another sporting baby blue
She wore an off-the-shoulder ruched baby blue dress that featured sophisticated frills at the hem and paired this with a pearl belt.
She had one of the largest fascinators, which consisted of blue, pink and cream feathers and roses.
The racecourse said on their website that Ladies Day is ‘like no other’, and added: ‘It’s best dressed, summer chic, a Derby staple.
‘Dress to impress and soak up spectacular racing, including The Betfred Oaks, one of Britain’s five classic races.’
Like other racecourses, Epsom has different stands that each have their own dress code. There is no official dress code for those in the Grandstand Enclosure and racegoers are encouraged to come ‘dressed to feel your best’.
But they have been warned to fancy dress or offensive outfits, as the racecourse said anything deemed vulgar or derogatory may be refused entry.
The Queen Elizabeth II stand has a stricter dress code and people need to sport smart attire in this area.
Jade Holland Cooper looked classy as she attended the event in Surrey in a spotty navy dress, pearl necklace and a £400 Holland Cooper Chelsea Saddle Bag, a brand loved by the Princess of Wales.
One woman pulls a face at Epsom in Surrey today as she sits on the stands with her friend
One woman smiled as she attempted to save her fascinator from the wind by holding onto it
One reveller put on a very leggy display as she strutted into Epsom for Ladies Day
A vibrant performer wearing green and pink greets racegoers on Ladies Day at Epsom Racecourse
One woman sported a lilac off-the-shoulder dress which she paired with heels and a teal bag
An statement fascinator is a staple for Ladies Day, with one guest matching her pastel blue dress to an elabourate headpiece
Sensible racegoers kept their coats on in the response to the uncharacteristically chilly May weather
One racegoer was dressed in a halterneck pink dress and her friend opted for a deep plunge red frock
Two racegoers complement each other in matching blue tones
Dressed to the nines, racegoers wore elegant headbands and revealing dresses
Two friends decided to coordinate and donned bright white outfits as they attended the event in Surrey
One woman opted to wear a pink lace dress with a gigantic bow and paired the garment with strappy white heels, whilst her friend donned a white blazer and a frilly nude frock
A group of racegoers laugh and smile as they hold their glasses at Epsom today
Two revellers opted for pink looks with large fascinators, with one of them donning a bright, hot pink and another sporting a pastel pink
Jade Holland Cooper looked chic in a spotty dress as she held onto her large fascinator because of the strong wind
Two revellers looked in high spirits, despite the rain, as they strutted around the racehorse in their heels
