A brolly good time! Glamorous Royal Ascot revellers whip out their umbrellas as they don vibrant frocks and sky-high heels on day four of the racing festival
- Revellers didn't let rain stop them from putting their best fashion foot forward for the glamorous day out
- 12,000 racegoers have been given tickets for each day of the five-day race meet as part of a pilot scheme
- Many kickstarted weekend celebrations early, with glasses of Pimms and bottles of Moet Champage flowing
Stylish racegoers didn't let the rainy weather conditions stop them from putting on a glamorous display as they arrived for day four of Royal Ascot.
As they descended on the beautiful surrounds of the famous Berkshire racecourse, arrivals were faced with a torrential downpour that had them reaching for their brollies.
Unprepared for the wet weather, revellers were decked out in a sea of bright and pastel-coloured summer dresses in silks and chiffon. But many refused to let the rain dampen their spirits and were seen getting into the party spirit early, with glasses of Pimms and mini bottles of Moet Champage flowing.
While some were forward thinking enough to come armed with an umbrella, others opted for practicality over style, donning giant ponchos and wellies in a bid to keep dry.
Eventually the rain eased, but it left behind big puddles which proved a difficult obstacle for guests wearing heels - forcing their male companions to give them a helping hand.
Not raining on her parade! One reveller didn't let the wet weather dampen her spirits as she arrived in a bright pink three-piece suit complete with flamboyant fascinator and matching brolly
Flamboyant fascinators took centrestage on day four of Royal Ascot, while some perfectly matched their umbrellas to their ensembles
Bright sparks: Despite the weather racegoers did not disappoint with their sartorial display of carnival brights - including this reveller who opted for a yellow two-piece suit
It's a washout! One female racegoer hoisted up her chiffon gown as she stepped over a puddle in her skyscraper heels on arrival on day four of the racing festival
Pretty in pink! One female racegoer ditched her umbrella for a moment as she posed with her hand on her hip for a photograph
Stylish racegoers were all smiles as they took to the stands ahead of the first races this afternoon
Elaborate headwear was the order of the day for many, with oversized hats and flamboyant fascinators adorned with feathers, flowers and frills spotted in the enclosure.
In total, 12,000 revellers have been granted tickets to each day of Royal Ascot as part of a list of pilot events taking place before the possible lifting of all lockdown restrictions next month.
On Monday Boris Johnson announced a four-week delay to 'Freedom Day' - but any disappointment looked far from the minds of racegoers as they kickstarted their weekend celebrations early.
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Two world-class Group 1 races provide the highlights on the track for the fourth day of the racing festival with a supporting cast of three competitive handicaps and two more Group level contests.
Yesterday, Sophie Wessex jubilantly celebrated a win on the horses today as she joined fellow royals Princess Anne, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips at Royal Ascot Ladies Day.
Brushing off the bad weather! The Tootsie Rollers arrived in vintage-inspired ensembles for day for of Royal Ascot today
Sarah Soulsby (left) and Nazer Bullen (right) from London were determined to bring a bit of summer spirit despite the raint weather, opting for bright ensembles on day four of Royal Ascot
Thinking ahead! One racegoer had clearly planned for a rainy day at the races, slipping into a waterproof mac and shoes
Bright and dandy! The dreary racecourse was a sea of brightly coloured umbrellas and outfits on day four of Royal Ascot
Tangerine dream! One racegoer was determined to bring the sunshine in her orange and yellow frock
The rain left behind big puddles which proved a difficult obstacle for stylish guests wearing skyscraper heels
While some revellers decided to embrace the wet weather with bare arms, others came prepared in macs and umbrellas
Flower power! While women braved cream and white dresses, men looked dapper in top hats and tails
Connect the dots! One reveller who put pon a stylish display in a polka dot dress and striking red hat posed with her umbrella
This reveller came well-prepared as she opted for a practical pair of wellies for the occasion along with a rain mac
Elaborate headwear was the order of the day for many, with oversized hats and flamboyant fascinators adorned with feathers, flowers and frills spotted in the enclosure
Perfect pout! Revellers were all smiles as they kick-started their weekend early and captured memorable moments on their phones
Royal blue! One reveller ensured she matched the colour of her poncho to her accessories as she arrived on day four of Royal Ascot
No wet feet here! These racegoers were prepared for the wet and rainy weather conditions, opting for practical footwear
While some revellers opted for plunging necklines and open toe shoes, others embraced practical trainers for the rainy weather conditions
A sea of colour! This glamorous reveller made a cheerful entrance to the racecourse in a brightly coloured fascinator and fascinator
Singing in the rain! These patterned pals didn't let the wet weather get them down as they took shelter under their umbrellas
Daring hemlines! Two women battled the elements as they arrived in chiffon dresses for a day of festivities as they kickstarted the weekend
Lady in red! One lady was spotted taking a big step over a puddle in open-toe heels as she kick-started the weekend early
Pretty in pastels! One optimistic racegoer donned a pale blue frock while a male reveller looked dapper in a top hat and tails
Looking all white! One racegoer braved the elements in heels and a white gown as she arrived at the Berkshire racecourse
Racegoers (pictured, left and right) smile and pose for photographs as they arrived for day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse
Cream dreaming: This elegant lady does her best to protect her pristine ivory outfit from the showers
Zara Tindall was also in attendance, accompanied by close pals Dolly Maude and Chanelle McCoy, as was her mother, the Princess Royal, 70, who looked radiant in yellow - but it remains to be seen who will attend today.
On Wednesday, Sophie was joined by senior royals including Princess Anne, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and her husband Prince Edward.
One notable exception to the royal line-up was the Queen, 95, but Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were spotted taking a keen interest in the races as her horse King's Lynn took part in the King’s Stand Stakes -finishing in seventh place.
The Queen missed Royal Ascot for only the second time in 69 years. Her Majesty's racing manager confirmed the monarch would not be attending on Wednesday but is hoping to make it later in the week depending on 'how things go'.
Hat's the ticket! One Royal Ascot reveller went all out in an oversized hat on day four of the racing festival
Taking cover! Elaborate headwear was the order of the day for many female reveallers, while men looked dapper in top hats and tails
Charlotte Hawkins and Mark Heyes (left) shielded from the heavy rain under an umbrella during day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse
Royal blue! One prepared stylish reveller completed her white and navy ensemble with a glamorous umbrella
A right royal washout! But the rain did little to dampen spectators' spirits, as jovial guests laughed off the downpours
A brolly good show! The Tootsie Rollers arrived in their vintage-inspired ensembles during day four of Royal Ascot
The Tootsie Rollers were all smiles despite the miserable weather conditions during day four of Royal Ascot
While some were forward thinking enough to come armed with an umbrella, others opted for practicality over style, donning giant ponchos and boots in a bid to keep dry
The Queen's racing manager John Warren told Radio 4: 'Obviously the Queen would love to attend, as you know she's fanatic about racing, watching racing and breeding horses, and has been going to Ascot all of her adult life. So, it's a shame to miss an event.
'The plan at the moment is to see how it goes towards the latter part of the week and if the Queen's able to come because she's got runners, then, fingers crossed, it will happen.'
He added that the monarch was 'fanatic' about horse racing, and called her energy levels 'incredible' despite her age.
He said: 'It's remarkable. The Queen's energy levels are incredible. She's 95. She went down to the G7 this week, and trundled back on the train in the middle of the night and the energy will be raised higher again for a week like Ascot.'
The weather may be miserable, but nothing dampened the atmosphere at
Two men looked smart in top hats and tails as they shared an umbrella on arrival at Berkshire racecourse
Glamorous in green! Many were forward thinking enough to come armed with an umbrella as rain swept across the Berkshire racecourse
Brollies at the ready! Staff members could be seen sheltering under umbrellas arriving at Royal Ascot today
Smartly dressed couples, who appeared to be headed for the Royal Enclosure, managed to keep smiling despite their formal outfits getting soaked
The area near the turnstiles was turned into a sea of umbrellas as thousands of rain-sodden guests began to arrive
The rain resulted in big puddles which proved a difficult obstacle for stylish guests wearing skyscraper heels
However he said the experience would be different for the monarch, adding: 'In the past, she would have gone and looked at horses in the paddock, even though they weren't hers because she is so fascinated in the breed so she'd want go and look at the stallion prospects of the future.'
John continued: Every race that takes place every day of the week, the Queen will certainly read the Racing Post every morning, look at the breeding of all the winners the day before, and see that these stallions that she uses will be potential horses for her own mares.
'It's a deep fascination, a very broad escapism for all the other things that the Queen has to deal with in her life.'
The Queen has a number of runners at the Berkshire racecourse, with Mr Warren tipping Tactical in the Jersey Stakes on Saturday as a potential winner.
Last year – when Ascot was held behind closed doors – was the first time the Queen had missed it in her entire reign.
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by my-time 47