I know everyone hates Prince Charles these days – for good reason, and I’m right there too – but can we just take a second and acknowledge that Charles really can wear the heck out of a three-piece suit? I’m not completely down with men’s fashion, but I believe Charles wore a “morning dress suit,” not to be confused with the “morning suit.” The morning dress suit is where the suit is all made of the same material, and that’s the dress code for Royal Ascot. A morning suit would be made of different colors and fabrics.
So, here are some photos of Day 1 of Royal Ascot. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are in attendance today for the opening races. Charles looks impeccable. The dove gray of his suit combined with his white-gray hair… it’s a really nice look. Camilla looks nice too – she wore Bruce Oldfield, who was actually one of Diana’s favorite designers. Oldfield made Camilla a matching mask, which she seemed to not fully wear? Weird. Her hat is by Philip Treacy.
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth will not attend Royal Ascot’s opening. Which is strange, because it’s one of her favorite events of the social calendar. So much so that this is the first time in her reign where she has not attended Day 1. Maybe she’s still tired from how much she was trotted out over the course of Friday through Sunday. They had her in Cornwall, they had Trooping the Colour at Windsor, then she had to meet Joe Biden. That’s a lot of sh-t for a 95-year-old woman. The Queen’s racing manager told media outlets that she might attend Ascot later this week, but she’s going to miss the opening day. Hmm. I wonder if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be in attendance at some point this week.
Photos courtesy of Getty.
I love Camilla’s style – She always looks good; age-appropriate, stylish, fun!
Me too, I love her clothes. Her wedding dress was inspired — we were all so ready to criticize and were left high and dry.
wow guess you also loved her style, when she was Diana friend. acting like the good girlfriend while having sex with Diana future husband… nothing to admire about her. her heart is evil. acting like she is doing good now is too late .- a good mind never hurts people. she went out of her way to prove as ugly as she is she will get Diana husband. even while she was married herself..
I don’t like she and Charles behaved to Diana. Now, Charles is treating Harry badly and she was of no help to Harry. I did not like the wedding dress she wore to the blessing, too fussy. The plain white dress and hat she wore to the civil ceremony was better and more appropriate. IMO.
@Curious
You can like someone’s clothing style AND not like the person all at the same time.
They aren’t mutually exclusive.
He looks like the Mr. Moneybags character in Monopoly.
Truthiness, LOL!! All he needs in a monocle.
Exactly!
I really love the fashion lessons, K. I had no idea about the suit differences. So cool. Thank you!
I’m tiptoeing in here but I think it’s actually the other way round. Morning suit is technically when the full suit material matches, as Charles has here (seen as the day version specifically for things like the races) and ‘morning dress’ is where trousers and jacket are different materials. That said, in the UK ‘ morning dress’ and ‘morning suit’ are used pretty interchangeably as men (who are not Royals) only have one version and it’s usually a dark tailcoat with grey striped trousers and trotted out for Royal Ascot and weddings. Often the guys inherit their ‘tails’ off their father or grandfather meaning some poor blokes are staggering around in the heat of summer in some fifty year old wool monstrosity that their sweat is just adding to the terrible smell of.
Also, in this day and age all the men I know have coloured waistcoats under their tails – pale blue, lemon yellow and beige are popular colours. Patterned is seen as infra dig. Shirts are white or pale blue generally. Mr Hench spent years wearing his father’s tails as he couldn’t afford his own and he was, ahem, shall we say ‘bigger’ than his younger dad and had to wear the trousers undone with his waistcoat covering the waistband – including at Royal Ascot, lol.
Tails/morning coat (technically the morning cut of a tailcoat) are compulsory if you are in the Royal Enclosure. It’s also the only place where the men also have to wear the top hat that completes the morning dress outfit. Occasionally an older man will wear his top hat to weddings but generally most go bareheaded. You can wear a normal ‘lounge suit’ if you are not in the Royal Enclosure. Coloured name badges denote where you are and are not allowed within the racecourse.
ETA interesting that neither Camilla nor Charles are wearing their badges here but Zara et al are. I’ve definitely seen Charles wearing one before so maybe you don’t have to if you are the most senior Royal attending.
To illustrate here’s a pic of Charles (with badge) and Harry wearing the usual type of morning dress for younger blokes (dark coat, blue shirt, blue waistcoat, striped trousers)
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-royal-ascot-held-at-ascot-racecourse-day-1-featuring-prince-harry-119310623.html
I’m sorry, but I think it’s unsafe these events are carrying on when the Delta variant is pushing up infection rates and the UK lockdown has been extended. Notice how it’s always the horse stuff that manages to keep on going. Last year they kept Cheltenham Races, which backfired and sent lots of Irish people home with covid. But, hey, the royal family just loves its racing.
Andrew Parker-Bowels contacted COVID-19 at some horse event last year at the Cheltenham Festival.
I think certain events will keep getting the go ahead despite risk as they are for the “right” kind of people. Meanwhile my friend who is trying to qualify for the Paralympics hasn’t been able to train for over a year now, even though it’s a solo event she is trying out for, her chances are gone for this go around, another four years wait for her.
I feel so sorry for your friend. Yes, as I keep saying, covid has really shown up the good and the bad in people (those who complied and those who didn’t); also, what people thought was important enough to risk infecting thousands of others. Horse racing for god’s sake.
As is so often the case – follow the money
I honk it’s ridiculous that they are having any type of even given the Delta variant has taken hold in the UK. They feel that the rules don’t apply to them, naturally, and there will be those who are not as lucky.
I am surprised that royal ascot is still happening with the extended lockdown, any UKers have comments on that?
I am REALLY surprised that the queen missed day 1. She must really have been wiped out after the weekend, especially since we don’t even have confirmation that she is going later in the week.
Camilla and Charles both look nice, they both definitely know how to dress for the occasion.
You know Kate will be there, I bet she wears another doily.
Lol, I just repeated all your points before I saw them.
I’ve just commented on it above, Becks1, as a UK poster. It’s disgusting that it’s happening and totally the wrong message.
People love their horses. Plus I think they’ve allowed it because it’s an outdoor event so they can just say social distance and the government thinks it’ll cover them. I personally don’t think it’s a good idea but they may have reduced capacities or something.
Expect some lace and another Meghan replicate shoe. My guess is either Jennifer Chhamandi or Aquazurra again
The only restrictions still in place are about wearing masks indoors and social distancing. Everything is open. They have reduced the crowd capacity at Cheltenham supposedly to allow social distancing.
Royal Ascot is part of the series of “pilot events” that have been given the go ahead to run under certain conditions – it’s all about the UK Govt. using these events to test ahead of further unlocking. There’s more info on the website: https://www.ascot.co.uk/events-research-programme
I’m not surprised Royal Ascot is included – there’s also quite a few football events: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-pilot-events-to-pave-way-for-larger-audiences-at-sport-theatre-and-gigs-this-summer. Despite postponing ‘Stage 4’ for at least a month it seems like all pilot events will continue to go ahead.
On a separate note I am loving the coordinated mask look from Camilla. Pretty sure I’ve also seen some photos of her fully wearing the mask – maybe she was just holding it up as an interim measure whilst walking through a crowd? I’ve definitely done the same when quickly darting somewhere. Anyway – coordinated masks for the win. Dr Biden usually rocks the best outfit/mask combos!
@ CJ, yes, Dr. Biden always has the best masks! As well as Michelle but Camilla does look good here. And Chaz looks like a gentleman here. Did I say that?
Oh if only Charles had even tried to act the part of gentleman. He did not learn from the way he treated Diana now he’s doing the same with Harry and Meghan.
Yes, they do look nice, and I love the fresh, spring feel of Camilla’s outfit; the colors are lovely on her.
I would be surprised if the Cambridges didn’t make an appearance; it’s just the sort of traditional event that Carole loves.
I think the queen must be worn out, or she would be there, yeah? I hope that’s not ominous.
I thought she stayed home because she didn’t want to wear a mask. She strikes me as petty that way. Given her age, it is probably tiredness, though.
Or because she had a meeting with the Australian Prime Minister…
I had the same thought. This might be the first warning bell.
He looks great, if you like Edwardian era cosplay. I bet he wishes he could go back to that time when the sun never set on his future empire, no one would have dissed him for having as many mistresses as he wanted, and he could have arranged his sons’ marriages to whomever he saw fit.
The dress is quite nice.. the hat looks cheap.. but I generally don’t like many hats at ascot .. why can’t they make hats that don’t look like costumes?
I do like Camilla’s outfit. Also do appreciate Charles and Camilla wearing a mask even though they’re both fully vaccinated.
They should be masked.
If they got a mrna vaccine, which are the better ones. They only give you 66% protection if fully vaxxed from the Delta variant. and 33% if you’ve had one shot.
The Delta variant is 12% that people will get severe to critical covid, unlike regular covid and other variants that are 1-2%
It is a lot more infectious, it gets to severe/critical in 2-4 days as opposed to day 6-11 for the others , it is causing A LOT more clotting and it is hitting more people aged 12-20’s
Please do not think we are done with this, get vaccinated and maintain social distance and wear masks and wash your hands. Don’t eat inside at restaurants or go to the theaters or big events.
It’s getting out of hand again in China, it’s in the UK and Canada and it’s starting to take hold in the states and various European countries. Plus of course India and those surrounding areas. We are looking at the next wave.
please please be careful, we are doing a lot of surgeries and interventions because of the clotting from covid, months to a year after people have recovered.
She took off the mask then sort of held it to her face without fastening it.
I’m watching these rich people in the middle of a pandemic and thinking the monarchy and the British class system needs to be abolished. I think the royals should have skipped Royal Ascot this year. It doesn’t look right.
Astounding how clueless the monarchy shows itself to be on the daily. As for Camilla, can’t stand the sight of her conniving lying gaping piehole. Same with Chuckie. No clothes, hats, suits or passing years will change those sh*tty people. First it was Diana and now their treatment of H&M.
Same here Southern Fried. A snake dressed up in a suit, is still a snake.
Charles and Camilla are horrible horrible people:Charles is a coward and Camilla is complicit
Charles ditched Diana after she had the heir and spare, and Camilla was always lurking around. Not fond of the next two monarchs and their consorts.
It looks like QB is still working up in Windsor while C&C enjoy Ascot.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/beaming-queen-receives-prime-minister-scott-morrison-in-windsor-castle-20210615-p581br.html
(Just ignore our PM, he’s an idiot who’s wife is known to use white power symbols in photos with Harry and Meghan, and who’s closest friend is a Qnut.)
I think its been pointed out already but QB is suddenly wearing lots of florals which, if you subscribe to the “she wears outfits to send messages” school of thought, might be seen as support of Lili(bet)…. or she wants to stand out from all the buttons…
Hang on!
Did he … horrors! … discuss what he happened discuss with the Queen?
I thought that wasn’t done, based on the fits the BM were having about what US President Biden said the other day. Wonder if they will do flip outs over this too, or if they (like always) pick and choose the target of their pearl clutching and outrage. LOL!
No, he’s a good little toady for Murdoch back here. He’ll be safe until Murdoch gets tired of him.
Charles has always been a good dresser , far better than his sons . Camilla also looks beautiful here
Charles dresses like an Edwardian. Camilla looks the same as she always does, same style outfits and hair.
Love the vertical stripes on this lovely summer coat. Other photos show a pale lilac skirt or dress underneath, matching Charles pale lilac tie. Well planned. They look nice here.
I just started watching Downton Abbey again, now that it’s on Netflix, and it occurred to me while reading this, Charles still has a valet doesn’t he? I think I read that somewhere. It shows.
Of course he has a valet. That fly isn’t going to zip itself.
He has a valet. His valet from the eighties wrote about Charles and how he had to have a bath towel put down “just so” when he got out of the tub and his clothes put out each morning. The current valet probably does the same.
Nor the shoelaces pressed.
I don’t like the dress, but I like the hat. And Chuck can really dress whatever the occasion.
I think we’ll see the Keens,if they’re not exhausted after doing to three engagements this week. We know she loves a new expensive dress with expensive hats,shoes and accessories.
Did you see Sophie’s outfit? A long dress, looked a bit like a bathrobe. I didn’t like it at all.
But yes Charles and Camilla usually look good.
Just looked it up and not impressed. Camilla’s does look better.
Camilla looks the same with the big hat and form fitting dress to suit her figure Charles looks stodgy. Not impressed with C and C, nor Sophie.
I didn’t care for Anne’s and Zara’s outfits either. Poor Mike can’t carry off the suit as well as the other men in the family.
Sophie’s dress is a mess-though it looks comfortable to sleep in and she looks terrible in oatmeal greige. I read it’s suppose to be apricot in color?
Charles & Camilla look dressed well as usual. I’m not going to hate on them as a couple. I’ll have negative feelings towards Charles for how he’s handled/didn’t handle Harry & Meghan in a good fatherly way and not being a loving father. The reality is that the Firm arranged and pushed Charles to marry Diana. Yes, Diana is really a very notably, kind and loving humanitarian. All the things. The one thing (sadly to Diana & William & Harry), that Charles has been consistent about, is his love for Camilla. Charles was trapped too-Harry said this. It’s probably why I believe that Charles isn’t the one that made the color comments. One thing Charles should understand, with his own experiences, is doing things for the woman you love. By the by, Camilla & Diana, were not friends. Acquaintances that appeared friendly or “friends” at best.
William & Waity Katie are a different story altogether.
Charles entrapped himself. He decided to move on when he first met Camilla. He told his biographer. Perhaps his spin ‘romanticizes” things but in effect Charles kept Camilla as his mistress (he also had another married mistress that he called the only woman who understands him) and he proposed to at least one other woman besides Diana. I don’t see any consistency with his ‘love’ for Camilla. I don’t think he would have chosen her over the throne, if given the same choice his great Uncle Edward VIII was given. Diana and Charles were not ‘arranged’ both were free to walk. Unfortunately Diana fell for him and he did not tell Diana the truth about he felt about her. Diana thought he loved her as she told Morton If Charles loved Camilla he would never have married anybody else. And it was cruel to marry someone who obviously was besotted with him. I don’t think Charles a particularly nice person and Camilla IMO was an opportunist.
Camilla is dressing like an elderly woman, this loose dresses, same,like the queen. maybe one day i also will end up wearing a v neck or round neck dresses when i get that age . its the same just different colors or patterns..lol but i doubt i will wear such dresses. its like throw on a Kaftan dress just in different colors.
Sorry, now I’m thinking about Diana and how miserable these two made her so I’m not feeling charitable about Camilla’s dress or Chucks suit.
When he hid after his newborn grandson was compared to a chimp, it cemented his status as a coward. Stripping Harry of his security without warning told the whole world he would rather have a dead son than a live biracial daughter-in-law. I believe in treating people the way you want to be treated, and Charles has used Diana and Harry to show all of us exactly how he wants to be treated.
Charles is a very cold person. He even unlike any other grandfather who displays pictures of all his grandchildren, has this Dynasty photo just including the Heir among the grandchildren in a fancy outfit with his hair slicked back.
same way i feel. what they wear to impress the people,but they both evil, how do evil dress? what they did to an innocent girl is how their hearts are , no dressing up can hide their evil minds. they played mind games with Diana.Charles king of his fantasy monarchy but not of the people.
What you really have to congratulate Camilla on is never getting the exact cost of her wardrobe reported and constantly questioned.
Yup,her and Sophie wear very expensive and bespoke pieces but no one ever say anything about the cost of their wardrobe…is it because they are older women? Meghan was criticized for wearing expensive clothes during Brexit and we always talk about Kate’s shopping habits…
I don’t think Camilla’s wardrobe and upkeep come cheap. She has special gowns and dresses designed and fit to suit her figure. Plus those large hats. Sophie probably buys from designers and shops.
camilla trying her best. she is old and looking tired. one thing she never will have ,is her stepsons accepting her. there are no pics of her stepsons hugging her. her being queen consort is going to have William in a rage, since he is the heir. can’t see any of Diana sons bowing to this woman..
Camilla does not have to work a whole lot, she has low work numbers and lots of downtime. Camilla would only be consort not monarch. William will be envious of his father and he is already apparently condoning the blurbs that he should be the next King.
Camilla is just holding the mask to her face, she needs to attach it so it works.
Town and Country mag reported that this is the same suit he wore to Meghan and Harry’s wedding…that brief moment in time when he seemed decent lol
Camilla showed up to do an event with her husband that she doesn’t live with . when the event is over she goes back to her home. and Charles to his . job done..
if Diana was your daughter , would you be happy with this? would you like to see the woman who lied and trick your daughter to get her husband as something ok? would you admire the way the mistress turn wife is dressed?
I don’t buy into the Great Love Myth and Star Crossed Lovers spin that Charles put about. Camilla was his married mistress for much of the 22 years she was married to her first husband. I don’t think Charles ever intended to marry Camilla and make her the mother of his royal children. If he loved Camilla “the whole time” He would have emulated his great Uncle and moved heaven and earth to make the mistress his wife. Edward VIII was honest enough not to bring in a young besotted girl into the mix like Charles did.