Hats off to Ascot 2012!

As fun as the racing is at Royal Ascot, I have to admit that a great part of the fun is "hat watching." This year was particularly challenging for all of us sporting a "chapeau" because the winds were whipping in a frenzy, and everyone, including the queen, was seen holding on to their hats for fear of them rolling away.

A

To photograph hats on women who are on the move, and be discreet at the same time, is a bit challenging, but I knew you would want a peek of some things I saw. I caught quite a few from the back, but you get the general idea.

So here we go, I'm labeling each photo with a letter so you can tell me your favorite.

B

Lots of details on this one that I love.

C

A regal color.

D

Lots of loops!

E

This gal I shot from the back, but she was so gracious and turned around so we could all see the front as well.

E

Cute, right?

F

More views from the front.

Shading the sun never hurts.

G

Need a lot of overhead clearance for this one.

H

Snappy!

I

Catching a few from the side...

J

K

Spikey!

L

Like a flying saucer.

M

There seemed to be a popular recurring motif this year--

N

Are you beginning to see?

O

Feathers in all shapes, 

P

colors,

Q

and sizes.

R

I was attracted to both of these

S

but not so sure when I caught a view of the one on the right from the front? What do you think?

T

We got excited for a moment when we spotted this gal in the Royal Ring. Could it be Kate Middleton with such a cute dress and blossoming headpiece?

T

Not to be, but interesting nonetheless.

So now it's time to hear from you. I loved hearing from you last year and seeing which ones were your favorites.

What's your pick this year?

It's All About the Hats!

Shades of Eliza Dolittle! Yes, the hats at Ascot were fabulous,

and we were very lucky it was fairly decent weather that day, because the weather got pretty nasty Thursday and Friday. Can you imagine trying to keep these "masterpieces" under an umbrella all day?

Ladies in Red....

A girlfriend outing, I imagine.

A little lopsided, but cute.

Channeling other worlds perhaps?

A la Audrey Hepburn!

See the hand and fingers on top?

She cleared a wide path when she walked.

Love the back of these!

A menswear tuxedo look.

High fashion.

Fantástico!

Feathers and color won't let you down!

Classy!

She asked to take a photo of my hat, so of course, I took one of her!

Flying saucers?

Boa around the brim!

Liked the bold color!

Two friends out for a special day.

And my favorite of all. This sweet lady was adorable, and had planted herself in a position where everyone could see her as they came into the grandstand. Isn't she a charmer?

Peeking at the Royals

So, here I am again, reporting from Royal Ascot about some interesting people we saw during the day.

Believe you me, checking out the horses was just part of the allure of the day--there were some interesting glimpses into the life of the rich and famous.

Before the race begins each day, the Queen and her guests make their way up a private road from Windsor Castle

to the racecourse.

Queen Elizabeth has been attending the races every year since 1945.

After making her way up the course each day of Ascot, they turn into the Parade Circle where we were waiting,

and there she alights from her open-topped landau carriage and makes her way to the Royal Box.

The largest race of the day was The Prince of Wales Stakes. HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip was the presenter. The Queen's husband had just celebrated his 90th birthday on Sunday at Windsor Castle with family and friends.

He presented the trophy to Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai, the owner of the winning horse, Rewilding.

Nearby was Queen Elizabeth's daughter, Princess Anne,

and I would have loved to know what those raised eyebrows were all about.

Finally, Katherine Jenkins, the classical/operatic pop singer from Wales who has been so popular of late, was watching the festivities near us as well. Now that's some hat!

And hats will be the theme of the next blog coming soon--you won't want to miss seeing some of the day's best and the quirkiest.