Duchess of Cambridge Pays Homage to Princess Diana at Royal Ascot

The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, and Prince William made a surprise appearance on day four of the Royal Ascot, the famous British horse-riding event.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the festival on Friday, travelling in the lead carriage in the traditional royal procession in the Queen's absence and amid soaring outdoor temperatures.

The Duchess made a big impression upon arriving at the event, with all eyes on her outfit for one of the summer fashion highlights of the season.

She donned an Alexandra Rich polka dot dress, which almost perfectly mirrors a dress worn to Ascot by her late mother-in-law Diana in June 1998.

William's mother had been fond of polka dots, with Vogue reporting a number of appearances that the late princess had worn the pattern at a number of royal engagements.

Catherine even opted for a large, flat top hat, as Diana had at the very same event three decades earlier.

The princess also paid homage to her husband's mother by wearing a pair of opalent diamonds and pearl earrings that had once belonged to her late mother-in-law.

It was the second time Catherine's worn the accessories, after sporting them on the red carpet when she attended the BAFTAs in 2019.

The sweet nod to Diana came as the Cambridges attended Royal Ascot for the first time since 2019.

Meanwhile, Prince William appeared dashing in a morning suit with a top hat and light blue patterned tie as he arrived alongside her in the carriage.

Royal family fans adored the Duchess's dress, taking to Twitter to tell of their love for her outfit choice and style.

One adoring fan said it was, Time to go back to fangirling, over Catherine, who was sporting a dress almost identical to that one worn by Princess Diana.

Another user wrote, High neck on a hot day, she's going to melt bless her.

Followed by a series of purple hearts for the Duchess.

The Queen, 96, who watched yesterday's action on the telly from Windsor, did not make it to the penultimate day of Ascot, despite having two horses running.

The Cambridges instead led the way, joined in the first carriage by friend Arthur Vestey and his wife Martha.

It is the first day out at Ascot this year for the Cambridges, with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall attending for the first two days.

The second carriage was occupied by Peter Phillips and his girlfriend, Lindsay Wallace, who kept it simple with a light pink dress with a matching hat.

Joining the Cambridges at the event was also Lady Gabriela Windsor, who looked chic in a white top hat and blue patterned dress.

Daughter of the Queen's cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, 41, paired her stamen headpiece with a pale pink clutch bag and matching pointed toe heels.

She wore a simple silver bracelet on her wrist and opted for low-key make-up.

Lady Gabriela, who attended with her financier husband, Thomas Kingston, didn't disappoint in a dazzling blue patterned button-down dress, which gathered at the sleeves.

Mr. Kingston was also dressed to impress in a grey top hat, pink tie and fitted tailcoat.

The Queen had two horses running at Royal Ascot on Friday, but she did not attend the race meeting at the Berkshire racecourse.

It is likely Her Majesty will watch the fourth day of races from home in her comfy clothes, as she did when she missed Epsom Derby Day earlier this month.

And the monarch will have plenty to cheer for, despite two of her star races being pipped to the post on Thursday's Ladies' Day.

The Queen's hot favourite, Reach for the Moon, and jockey Frankie de Tauri, were yesterday outdone by winner Claymore.

De Tauri 51 also came second on Saga, another of the Queen's horses, while her final entry, Tactical, came a disappointing seventh in the final race.

Seen by many as the calendar highlight of the British summer season, Royal Ascot has finally returned to its former pre-pandemic glory with attendees unhindered by Covid restrictions and encouraged to go all out in the sartorial stakes.

Indeed, this year's published style guide for the event, the 11th of its kind, requests formality remains in the Royal enclosure, but hints at a more relaxed approach elsewhere, suggesting exuberant occasion wear is positively encouraged in 2022.

Today's catwalk included monochrome frocks, flashes of fuchsia and floating summer dresses in yellow and greens.

Many of those attending at the main spectator's enclosure opted for coordinating outfits with pals too.

Plenty of fans adopted a patriotic theme also to ensure the Platinum Jubilee celebrations continue with red, white and blue incorporated into their outfits for the day.

Racegoers have long been accustomed to dressing to impress for Royal Ascot, but this year the annual event appears to be encouraging guests to be more daring than ever with their outfit choices.

This year's Royal Ascot style guide, which is the 11th of its kind, is keen to demonstrate to racing followers around the world that British fashion houses can help those attending the Royal meeting is about looking your best.

Meanwhile, it also appears to encourage racegoers to embrace a more casual look at the event with female models posing in mini dresses and platform heels, while men are permitted to wear Cuban shirts and printed garments.

RACEGOERS in the Royal enclosure are required to wear a modest hemline.

However, elsewhere in the guide, it appears sky-high mini skirts may be permitted in other enclosures.

The penultimate day of Royal Ascot was a day to remember, with the Duchess of Cambridge taking centre stage.

Her homage to Princess Diana was a touching tribute that will be remembered for years to come.