Britain's Royal Ascot: horses, hats and royals

Thousands of race-goers cheered from the stands as the royal family arrived in several horse-drawn carriages and travelled to the royal box. 

Harry wore a top hat and tails for the occasion, renowned for its strict dress code, while Meghan chose a white shirt dress and a matching black and white hat.

Royal Ascot is Britain’s most valuable meeting, attracting many of the world’s best horses to compete for more than 7.3 million pounds in prize money.

The meeting is also synonymous with sartorial elegance. Guests are invited to contribute to an occasion regarded as a major fashion spectacle in its own right.

It is a leading event in the British social calendar and media coverage of the attendees and what they are wearing often exceeds coverage of the actual racing.

Here is a selection of images of the racegoers. 

Frankie Dettori riding Stradivarius celebrates winning the Gold Cup on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting, which is traditionally known as Ladies Day, in Ascot, England Thursday, June 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Racegoers on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex present the trophy for the St James's Palace Stakes to Frankie Dettori, right, on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Racegoers enjoy drinks and cigars on the second day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Wednesday, June 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

A racegoer poses for photographers on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

A racegoer walks past a huge British flag during the second day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Wednesday, June 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

A racegoer rests between races on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting, which is traditionally known as Ladies Day, in Ascot, England Thursday, June 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrives at the parade ring with Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, in a horse drawn carriage on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

The Tootsie Rollers pose for the media on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting, which is traditionally known as Ladies Day, in Ascot, England Thursday, June 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwal arrive at the parade ring in a horse drawn carriage, on the second day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Wednesday, June 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Racegoers enjoy a drink on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the parade ring with Princess Alexandra in a horse drawn carriage, on the second day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Wednesday, June 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

A racegoer attends the third day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting, which is traditionally known as Ladies Day, in Ascot, England Thursday, June 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Racegoers watch the fifth and final race on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting, which is traditionally known as Ladies Day, in Ascot, England Thursday, June 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Musicians play instruments on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting, which is traditionally known as Ladies Day, in Ascot, England Thursday, June 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

A racegoer poses for photographers on the first day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

---

This gallery was curated by Courtney Dittmar in New York.

For more, visit AP news