Royal Ascot revellers don their finest gowns at home

Royal Ascot fans from across the globe continue to don their finest gowns and fancy fascinators as they take part in day two of the race meeting from the comfort of their own homes. 

Wednesday at the Berkshire racecourse would usually begin when the gates open to tens of thousands of guests at 10.30am on, as the excitement and anticipation built up around the venue reaches a crescendo ahead of the arrival of the Royal Procession at 2pm. 

But the current crisis means the action is taking place from behind close doors for the first time in 100 years – with the jockeys wearing face masks. 

However, the unfortunate circumstance hasn’t stopped ‘virtual racegoers’ from flaunting their glamorous ensembles on social media – using the hashtags #StyledWithThanks and #hatsfromhome.

Day two of the five-day event has seen a host of new faces rise to the #StyledWithThanks challenge – including Charlotte Hawkins, Francesca Cumani, Stephanie Waxberg and Daisy Knatchbull.  

Stephanie Waxberg looked stunning in a 1950s-inspired Alice dress by Suzannah, which she complemented with a pair of Aspinal of London sunglasses

Horse racing presenter Francesca Cumani put on a stylish display in a Frank Usher Poppy dress and headband by Lock & Co. Hatters 

Musician Laura Wright posed outside a front door in her long-sleeved Masai dress and beautiful @awongolding hat

All participants are being encouraged to donate £5 to the campaign fundraising page in a bid to help spread the #StyledWithThanks message in recognition of those working on the frontline of the global Covid-19 crisis.

They are being encouraged by race organisers to donate to four front-line charities – The National Emergencies Trust Relief Fund, NHS Charities Together, The Care Workers Charity and the Berkshire Community Foundation Coronavirus Fund.

The highlight of the seven-race card is the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (race four, 1500), with the top three in the betting all past winners at Royal Ascot. 

Last year’s impressive winner of the King Edward VII Stakes, Japan, went on to win two Group 1 contests later in the season and is a warm favourite on his seasonal reappearance.   

Designer Eda Rose-Lawson looked the picture of elegance in a textured beige coat, oversized hat and lace gloves

Alexandra Wood looked pretty as a picture in a stylish yellow ensemble. Taking to Instagram, the ‘virtual racegoer’ told how she bought the dress from Topshop last year, and penned it with a pair of classic Ted Baker heels

TV presenter and model Rosie Tapner shared her monochrome ensemble on Twitter and revealed she was wearing a Suzannah dress and a Rachel Trevor Morgan hat

Daisy Knatchbull, founder of The Deck, London, cut a stylish figure in a neutral-colouired power suit

Nazer Bullen cut a stylish figure in a floaty white dress and matching Beverley Edmondson hat

Pretty in pink! Evie was joined by a furry companion as she posed for a snap on day two of Royal Ascot. She penned: ‘On Wednesday’s we wear pink’

Phoebe Phillips, who donned a Moss and Spy blue and white dress and hat by Lauder Taylor, penned: ‘Late night, early morning but let’s do it again. @Ascot from home, Day 2’

Leonna Mayor (pictured) took to Twitter to share her stylish white jumpsuit, which she paired with black accessories, and wrote: ‘I’ve donated but will you?’

Melissa from @8thsign opted for a navy Santana frill midi and Juliette Millinery hat – and completed her outfit with a pair of dangling earrings

Photographs at Ascot Racecourse today showed the usually bustling grandstands and hospitality enclosures empty aside from the occasional member of staff, while the roads surrounding the venue were largely deserted. 

 For the first time since becoming a ‘royal week’ in 1911, the five-day festival is not be open to the 300,000 visitors who usually descend on the racecourse.

Among the racing enthusiasts staying at home is the Queen, who has been forced to skip the event for the first time in her 68-year reign. 

In a note shared on Tuesday, the monarch praised the ‘valiant’ efforts of organisers and said she is sure it will still be the ‘highlight’ of the racing calendar, despite the ‘different’ circumstances.   

On day one of Royal Ascot, which took place yesterday, a host of racing fans stepped up to the plate to celebrate – including, Duchess of Rutland, Louise Roe and Chanelle McCoy. 

Alicia Healey looked elegant in a pastel pink hat by milliner to The Queen Rachel Trevor Morgan and ‘Portia’ maxi dress by @ethereallondon

Flower power! Sally Harper-Kenn put on a colourful display in a floral dress and matching hat for the virtual event amid the coronavirus lockdown

Taking to Twitter, Rehak Lubomir (pictured left) penned: 1st time in history #RoyalAscot2020 takes place behind closed doors. We made at home a small reminder of better times, missing atmosphere at Royal Enclosure as guests of Her Majesty. Joined #StyledWithThanks campaign and donated to support those affected by #COVID-19′

Merlin Coles, three, watches the horse racing from Royal Ascot on TV at his home in Bere Regis, Dorset, whilst sat on his horse Mr Glitter Sparkles with his dog Mistress

The youngster watches the horse racing from Royal Ascot on TV as racing resumed behind closed doors amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic

Keeley Lengthorn (pictured) shared a series of glamorous shots as she got ready for the first race today

Taking to Twitter, Keeley (pictured, left and right), who brought a ray of sunshine to the otherwise rainy proceedings, penned: ‘Ascot ready. @Ascot Let’s do this!’

Lucy Cleary could be seen posing alongside a big 21 light-up sign alongside her family members – as they prepared for the day of celebrations ahead

Amongst the glamorous would-be racegoers who took part was Zara and Mike Tindall, who posed for a photo from their home on Princess Anne’s Gatcombe estate in Gloucestershire, where they have been in lockdown with their two children, Mia, six, and Lena, one.

Zara Tindall, 39, was pictured wearing a bespoke hat by Juliette Botterill and dress by Beulah, while Mike, 41, looked dapper in a top hat and morning suit. 

Yesterday’s racing began with the Buckingham Palace Handicap at 1.15pm followed by the Queen Anne Stakes, which was won by Circus Maximus and Ryan Moore.

Watching from home was the Queen, 94, who praised the ‘valiant’ efforts of those involved in working to make this year’s event a success in a message for the Ascot racecards. 

Kelly shared this colourful snap to social media alongside the caption: ‘When you cant go to the royal ascot, bring the royal ascot to you! Even got my little NHS rainbow in’

Louise C Millinery didn’t let the rainy weather conditions dampen her spirits. Taking to Twitter, she shared this pretty picnic and penned: ‘All set up for day two of Royal Ascot at Home. Gone for an unusual vase Toilet for the flowers bouquet today’

Cheers to that! Hilary Kempe brightened up an otherwise rainy day in a orange and purple short-sleeved dress

Sarah of @johnboydhats and Georgina could be seen posing for a photo on a wooden bench as they looked effortlessly stylish in their #RoyalAscot millinery auction hats

She wrote: ‘I send my best wishes to the thousands of racing professionals and enthusiasts who will join me in celebrating this year’s Royal Ascot.

‘In these challenging times, we are once again delighted to welcome the best horses and jockeys from across the world and pay tribute to those who have helped make this race meeting possible.

‘This year Ascot will feel different for many, as it is so often a chance for friends, families and colleagues to gather together and enjoy a shared passion.

‘I am sure however, that with the valiant efforts of the organisers, owners, trainers and stable staff, it will remain one of Britain’s finest sporting occasions and a highlight of the racing calendar.

‘To everyone attending Royal Ascot, in person or virtually, I hope you have a most enjoyable and unique week of racing.’