The most outrageous Royal Ascot hats ever

June 14, 2021Jun 14, 2021, 10:38 AM GMT+1

Three women in festive hats: one with a cheese hat, one with books, and one with a teapot hat.

Royal Ascot is one of the highlights of the summer for the Queen and the Royal Family. Sadly, last year's installment was not open to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic, but this year races will be held from June 15 to 19.

While the Royal Family members who grace the races at one of the most prestigious social events of the summer sometimes steal the show, Royal Ascot and its strict dress code also sees some show-stopping accessories.

Since hats remain compulsory, British society ladies have celebrated the annual horse-racing event while showcasing their sense of style with some truly wild headpieces.

From royal baby-themed fascinators to elaborate, structural chapeaus, scroll through the gallery – or click through, if you're on desktop – for the most outrageous Ascot hats ever...

Photos: © Getty Images

A woman with long hair and floral top, holding a drink, balances books on her head.

This racing fan stepped out with an appropriate selection of books on her head for Day 3 in 2019!

Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

A woman with pink hair and a floral teapot hat smiles outdoors.

We love this look, compete with teacups and a teapot pouring floral tea onto this woman's head!

Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Woman in green suit and unique horse-themed hat at an outdoor event.

This attendee was horsing around with her headpiece – a colourful painted picture of an equine character, complete with feather flourishes!

Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage

A woman with long black hair wears a floral dress and an elaborate hat with flowers and leaves.

Racegoer Jackie St Clair was ready to take flight with her bird-themed headpiece, complete with a bird cage and ivy vines.

Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage

A woman in a pink suit and large pink rose hat stands outdoors.

Isabell Kristensen didn't have to stop to smell the roses at Royal Ascot – she was wearing one!

Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage

A woman with long hair wearing a colorful hat with feathers and a rainbow tank top.

Somewhere over the rainbow (and the feathers!) Royal Ascot was in full swing.

Photo: © Leon Neal/Getty Images

Woman with a vibrant floral headdress featuring a toucan, smiling brightly.

This attendee brought a taste of the tropics to the races on a sunny day, donning an oversized confection that included philodendron leaves, orchids, birds of paradise and a Toucan to boot!

Photo: © Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

A woman with a geometric black and white hat and matching outfit stands outdoors.

This geometric fascinator looked like a science experiment!

Photo: © Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Woman in red jacket and black top wears a red and white hat with feather design.

Racegoer Katrin Fahrenbruck had fellow revellers seeing red thanks to her feathery spiral topper.

Photo: © Leon Neal/Getty Images

A woman in a white dress and large white hat with a silver horse figurine on top, smiling.

Guest Debra Day tulle-d around with the equestrian theme.

Photo: Getty Images

Anna Friel wearing a brown dress and a unique feathered headpiece.

Actress Anna Friel took "a feather in your cap" to a whole new level.

Photo: © Getty Images

Two women wearing elaborate hats with airplane designs, smiling for the camera.

Aviation-themed hats made a splash on Ladies Day.

Photo: © Getty Images

Woman with long hair wearing a large pink rose hat with white flowers, smiling in a garden.

This guest made a rosy impression on day two of Ascot 2016.

Photo: Getty Images

A woman in a pink dress and large pink floral hat smiles at the camera.

This equestrian fan's hat is in full bloom.

Photo: © Getty Images

A woman in a unique white feathered outfit and hat stands among greenery, posing for photos.

Talk about scooping out the competition. This elaborate headpiece made of plastic spoons caught everyone's attention at the races.

Photo: © Getty Images

Woman with blonde hair wearing a pink cherry-themed dress and hat, smiling.

This Ascot attendee was the cherry on top of Ladies Day.

Photo: © Getty Images

Woman with blonde hair wearing a red dress and a large, colorful hat with red, white, and blue elements.

A patriotic racing fan recreated the Union Jack with this colourful topper.

Photo: © Getty Images

Two women in elaborate hats with horse motifs, smiling and standing close together at an event.

Staying true to the event's raison d'être, a pair of equestrian enthusiasts wore chapeaus in the shape of pink horses.

Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

A woman in a black, intricate dress and gold headpiece holds a large, gold spiral umbrella.

This determined Ascot-goer was not about to let a little weight bear down on her over-the-top fashion parade. Photo: © Getty

A woman in a red dress and elaborate red and black headpiece stands outdoors.

Another fashion-forward guest wanted a hat that would be "out of this world." Mission accomplished!

Photo: © CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images

A woman in an elaborate white gown and headpiece stands on grass, holding a white parasol.

Eccentric British TV presenter Anneka Svenska stood out from the Ascot crowd in a sculptural headpiece, worthy of a place in a bestselling children's book.

Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage

Woman wearing a green hat decorated with teacups, utensils, and berries, smiling.

One racegoer was keen to flaunt her British pride with a tea party-inspired hat complete with blackberry tarts and teacups.

A woman in a red dress and hat with a piano design smiles and touches her hat.

How grand: This woman's piano-themed hat hit all the right Ascot style notes.

Woman in black dress and hat with Olympic rings holding a champagne glass.

Racegoer Laura Nelson carried the likeness of the Olympic torch on her crown as a tribute to the international games.

Woman in a white dress holds a large, decorated hat with cheese and grapes.

A fromage fiend wore an oversized hat shaped like blue stilton cheese.

Woman in black dress and large, colorful hat with face design stands outdoors.

Inspired by the UK artist Louise Dear, model Carla Creegan wore a lavish piece of art on her head as commissioned by Castle Galleries.

A woman wears a creative hat resembling a diaper cake with decorative elements.

Prince George mania had reached its peak when this royalist wore a royal baby-themed chapeau in 2013.

A woman with a Union Jack hat and smiling face, showing teeth.

An elaborate, Union Jack-inspired headpiece is not out of place at the Royal Ascot, where British-themed hats of all shapes and sizes are the order of the day.

Woman in a peacock feather hat and colorful dress holding a drink.

A female racegoer was out to impress in a hat made from peacock feathers at the annual event.

Person in green dress and black top wears a unique hat with horse racing theme.

This creative lady took the racing theme quite literally, donning a miniature sculpture of a race track on her wide-brimmed hat.

Woman wearing a pink flamingo hat with feathers and a black top, smiling.

This racegoer's flamboyant flamingo fascinator seems rather conservative by comparison.

Woman in a unique, large, brown hat-like structure stands in front of a Union Jack banner.

Fashion designer Larisa Katz put her avant-garde skills to good use by constructing an elaborate ensemble made entirely out of chocolate packaging.

Photo: © Getty