Vanity Fair: Top Fashion Highlights from Royal Ascot 2026
Royal Ascot 2026 is drawing to a close. After an intense week of horse races and see-and-be-seen fashion, the curtain is officially falling on this famous and beloved equestrian event, which has always been the quintessential showcase of British glamour and aristocratic style.
Alongside dramatic hats and refined outfits ready to pass the strict entrance checks, masterful hairstyles and sophisticated makeup are on full display. Take Harriet Sperling, fresh off her wedding, who arrived at the opening of Ascot sporting a masterful braided updo, or Carole Middleton, spotted on the second day with a sun-kissed chestnut bob. Also present that same day were Prince William and Kate Middleton, looking incredibly elegant with her stunning low updo.
Among the sightings on the third day were Zara Tindall, whose smile was extra bright thanks to her ultra-glossy lips, and Princess Diana's nieces Amelia and Eliza Spencer, both with makeup in perfect ladylike style . On the fourth day, Queen Camilla decided to stay true to her signature beauty look: a super-soft, feathery cut—her hair signature—and lips painted in an elegant mauve shade. On day five, Harriet Sperling was spotted once again, this time alongside her new husband, Peter Phillips. The newlywed bride sported an exquisitely refined low updo on the final day, hidden beneath a wide-brimmed hat, exuding a radiance that was nothing short of regal.
But that’s not all! Below, day by day, are the best looks from the Royal Ascot 2026.
Harriet Sperling exudes a regal radiance, thanks to her even complexion, which looks almost sun-kissed, warmed on the cheeks by subtle touches of peach blush, and an eye look emphasized by deeply curled black lashes. A delicate mauve shade with a creamy finish brightens her smile, while a sophisticated low braided updo, with strands falling gracefully along her face, completes the look. Pure elegance.
Harriet Sperling.
Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips.
The Duchess paired her vivid lips—painted in a bright shade of pink, very close to coral—with anthracite-toned eyelids, perfectly complementing her playful silver hairstyle.
Birgitte of Gloucester.
Dressed in royal blue, Camilla paired her wide-brimmed hat with lips painted in a high-gloss mauve shade, ready to radiate light and brighten her smile. Her eyes are accentuated by a black line, while her feathered locks elegantly frame her headpiece.
Queen Camilla.
Zara Tindall repeated the glossy lips from the previous day and coated her lashes with extra-dark mascara, ready to highlight her sky-blue eyes. As for her hair, Princess Anne’s daughter opted for a dramatic, low, knot-like updo, a look that’s both chic and playful.
Zara Tindall.
Zara Tindall.
Even on the fourth day at Ascot, the Queen stuck to her signature beauty look. Her haircut, soft and voluminous, is a perfect complement for her hat—this time in a celestial shade—and her lips, painted in a mauve hue. Her eyes take center stage, accentuated by extra-dark eyelashes.
Queen Camilla.
Also parading in a carriage was Lady Madeleine Lloyd Webber, with a wavy bob embellished by bangs parted in the center like a curtain. And then there was the Countess of Caledon, with a low updo and lips painted in an elegant mauve shade that brightens her smile.
Lady Madeleine Lloyd Webber and Amanda, Countess of Caledon.
Très chic Isabelle de la Bruyère with her voluminous, soft medium-length cut, featuring wide, airy waves neatly arranged beneath her wide-brimmed hat, ready to highlight her hazel eyes. Her makeup is soft and understated, with nude lips and a subtle stroke of black to accentuate her eyes.
Isabelle de la Bruyère.
The wife of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, looked radiant. It was impossible not to notice her ultra-glowy, even complexion, against which her lips—painted with a vibrant red lipstick—stood out. Her low updo, artfully tied beneath her wide-brimmed hat, was chic personified.
Sophie of Edinburgh.
Princess Anne’s lips were brighter and more vivid than ever; for the third day of Royal Ascot, she opted for a brilliant strawberry shade that stood out against her complexion. As for her hair, she sported her signature voluminous updo peeking out from under her wide-brimmed hat.
Princess Anne.
Lady Diana’s granddaughters sported refined makeup in soft shades of pink, matching their dresses. Both opted for rosy lips with a glossy finish—so chic—and a radiant complexion, enhanced by touches of peach blush. As for their hairstyles, while Lady Eliza chose to let her hair flow freely over her shoulders, her sister Amelia opted for an extremely elegant low ponytail.
The Spencer sisters.
On the third day of Royal Ascot, King Charles III’s wife added even more vibrancy to her lips by choosing a pink shade with a pearlescent finish that adds a pop of color to her entire look. Her eyes remain accentuated with bold swaths of black mascara, but her signature beauty look remains her feathery hairstyle—just voluminous enough to provide the perfect frame for her wide-brimmed hat.
Queen Camilla.
The radiant Zara Tindall spent day three in a butter-colored ensemble. Her lips amplified her glow, painted in a romantic glossy pink ready to radiate light. Her hair, once again, was styled in a beautiful updo that gains volume at the back, while her lashes are coated in a rich, deep black.
Zara Tindall.
Felicity Blunt arrived at Ascot with her husband Stanley Tucci, sporting a sassy wavy bob hidden under her hat. As for her makeup, she opted for vivid red lips, but above all, an extra-black manicure—one of the most popular nail trends.
Felicity Blunt, Harry Morely, Stanley Tucci.
Princess Kate’s mother returned to the spotlight at Ascot, staying true to her golden-brown bob with upturned ends. This trendy cut perfectly frames her makeup, featuring a depth-creating black line that accentuates her eyes.
Carole Middleton.
The Princess of Wales looked radiant and stunning in her all-yellow ensemble. Beneath her wide-brimmed hat , adorned with a veil, she sported a stunning low, side-swept updo—the kind Kate loves to showcase on occasions that require elegance, style, and glamour, with her hair expertly twisted and gathered.
Kate Middleton.
As for her makeup, she stuck to her signature beauty look: charcoal shades on her eyelids and a touch of bright pink to highlight her smile.
Kate Middleton.
Among the first guests spotted on the second day of Royal Ascot was Carole Middleton. The mother of the Princess of Wales paired her candy-pink look with lips in a bold cyclamen shade that lit up her smile, while her eyes were accentuated by a bold black line and lengthening mascara. Rounding out the look was a textured bob in a brown shade highlighted by caramel highlights that gave it a sun-kissed effect.
Carole Middleton.
Alizée Thevenet, wife of James Middleton, arrived at Ascot alongside her mother-in-law Carole, sporting a long white dress and a raffia hat, beneath which she hid her beautiful, extra-long, ultra-smooth hair gathered into an elegant half-updo—apparently one of the family’s favorite hairstyles. As for her makeup, Kate and Pippa’s sister-in-law kept it understated, opting only for black mascara on her lashes and a bright shade of pink on her lips. Like many royal ladies, she also opted for a nude manicure .
Alizée Thevenet.
Queen Camilla remained true to her beauty routine for the second day at Ascot as well: a soft, feathery golden hairstyle that was light and airy. Tucked under a wide-brimmed hat, she paired her do with striking eye makeup, featuring a black line lining the eyes and extra-dark lashes that add intensity to her gaze.
Queen Camilla.
Lady Gabriella’s makeup look is decidedly sophisticated, focusing entirely on a peach-colored blush that gently warms the complexion and a rosy lipstick that adorns her lips. Simplicity reigns in her hairstyle as well. Lady Gabriella opted for straight hair, tucked under a wide-brimmed hat.
Lady Gabriella.
Sophie of Edinburgh looks quite chic with her low bun hidden beneath a wide-brimmed hat, though her ultra-radiant complexion and makeup—featuring strawberry-colored lips and ultra-voluminous lashes coated in extra-dark mascara—really steals the show.
Sophie of Edinburgh.
The princess rarely strays from her beauty comfort zone. Here she is with her signature lips painted in a subdued shade of red and her now-iconic bouffant updo hidden beneath her pink hat.
Princess Anne.
Queen Camilla kicked off the beloved equestrian event by staying true to her signature look, featuring a golden feather-effect hairstyle—light, airy, and just voluminous enough to perfectly accommodate her wide-brimmed pastel-toned hat. As for makeup, the queen—just as she did for Garter Day—opted for cyclamen-colored lips and extra-dark eyelashes to enhance her eyes.
Queen Camilla.
Romantic Zara Tindall chose a wisteria-toned look for the first day of Ascot, pairing it with a sophisticated, rounded updo—braided at the back and embellished with a single strand of hair that falls gracefully along her face.
Zara Tindall.
A perfect choice to complement her hat, but also to frame her makeup, given her radiant complexion, with her cheeks warmed by touches of peach blush. The pop of color comes from her lips, a glossy pink shade.
Harriet Sperling and Zara Tindall.
Fresh off her wedding, Harriet Sperling arrived at Ascot soon after saying “I do,” perfectly embodying the role of a royal with her masterful braided updo—the kind worthy of the Princess of Wales. Her golden locks were styled into a dramatic interplay of braids and twists, pinned low on one side to make room for her fascinator.
Harriet Sperling and Zara Tindall.
An elegant, refined, and decidedly regal look. Much like her makeup, which featured a stroke of black eyeliner to enhance her eyes and long, black lashes. Her lips were also painted a delicate shade of dark pink.
Princess Anne and Harriet Sperling.
Princess Anne remained true to herself and her signature beauty touches: a preference for a no-makeup look and lips that glow with a subtle strawberry shade, a little touch she finds hard to give up. She didn’t change her hairstyle either, sporting her soft, bouffant look hidden beneath her headpiece.
Princess Anne.
Also present on the first day of Ascot was the Queen’s sister, Annabel Elliot, who shares Camilla’s feathery blonde haircut. Hers was protected by a wide headpiece while a pink lipstick brightens her smile, her nails are painted in an ever-chic milky shade.
Annabel Elliot.
Duchess Brigitte opted for a “no-makeup” makeup look, except for her lips, which were painted a strawberry red—not too bright, but just vibrant enough to add a touch of color to her look.
Duchess of Gloucester.
How chic Geri Halliwell Horner looks with her soft, low updo, accented by flowing strands that frame her face. Her makeup is also ultra-refined: coral-colored lips and a dusting of rosy eyeshadow on her eyelids, with extra-dark lashes to top it all off.
Geri Halliwell Horner.
Originally published by Vanity Fair Italy
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