Sophie has debuted a range of flattering styles at Royal Ascot over the years (Image: Getty)
The style event of the year in the Royal calendar takes place at one of Britain’s most well-known racecourses, Ascot.
Each year, a special week of races is held in June called Royal Ascot, notoriously attended by The King and Queen, who have had an interest in horses since childhood.
As a royal equestrian herself, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh has been known to debut some of her best looks at the annual event, wearing some of her favourite brands.
Royal ateliers including Jane Taylor showcase some of their most intricate bespoke pieces on the likes of Sophie, but there’s no need to max out your wardrobe budget to replicate the Duchess’s best outfits.
Express.co.uk takes a look at three of the Duchess of Edinburgh’s best Ascot fashion moments that you can recreate with highstreet pieces.
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Sophie’s white floral tea dress is a popular summer style on the high street right now (Image: Getty)
Sophie’s look was made up of a range of brands including a dress by Suzannah (Image: Getty)
Ascot day three, 2023
Last year, Sophie donned a glorious white summer dress with floral details while accompanied by her father on day three of Royal Ascot. The Duchess stunned in a £1,150 floral Suzannah dress known as the Suzannah x Rachel Levy Adela Silk Tea Dress in Pansy Dots.
The romantic style boasted a romantic, breezy silhouette, cinched waist and puffed sleeves – details that are easy to find in many high-street alternatives including this £45 Printed Midaxi Tea Dress by M&S.
Available in three colours; Ecru Mix, Yellow Mix and Blue Mix, the garment is part of the M&S Per Una collection, and crafted from lightweight fabric “for a comfortable and breezy feel”. It’s cut in a regular fit and features a v-neckline and short angel sleeves. Plus, it has an elasticated waist at the back for a flattering, comfortable fit and the skirt falls into a stylish midaxi length. It even has side pockets for a practical touch.
New Look also carries a similar style – a White Floral Open Back Midi Dress (£37.99). The keyhole back detail makes a for a flattering, and cooling feature on a hot day. It’s available in UK sizes 8-22 and includes a hidden elasticated waistband.
To accessorise, Sophie opted for a statement periwinkle blue hat, similar to this high-street alternative known as the Tilly Upturn Fascinator in Sky blue, available at John Lewis for £69, which matched her chic suede heels. The exact shoes were the Prada 85mm Pumps, similar to these court shoes by LK. Bennett (£166).
Another detail of the Duchess’s outfit was her gold-chained £341.25 Strathberry clutch. Similar styles of this seagrass-coloured bag can be found online at Boohoo.com for £16 down from £20 in the current sale, or George by Asda for £18.
Sophie was a vision in blue for Royal Ascot in 2022 (Image: Getty)
The Duchess wore a £4,000 made-to-order dress with an explosion of colour printed over the fabric (Image: Getty)
Ascot day two, 2022
In 2022, the former Countess of Wessex turned heads in an all-blue ensemble, wearing ruffle-detail midi dress by fashion atelier Suzannah. The Isla Guipure Lace Dress in Blue (£1,290), boasts 100 percent cotton overlay and full silk lining.
While the garment is no longer available online, affordable brands like Boohoo.com carry similar designs, like this Blue Boutique Lace Skater dress which is on sale for £32 down from £40. Alternatively, Next has a long-sleeve, more casual alternative known as the Lipsy Lace Detail Long Sleeve Midi Shirt Dress With Tie Belt (£65).
Sophie also donned an enormous floral hat – a bespoke design by Jane Taylor – but you can match her look with this £165 Quill Fascinator from John Lewis, which is available in two colours; Oyster (pink) and Sky (blue).
The Duchess’s bag is by one of her favourite brands, Sophie Hasburg and is the Ginny Clutch in blue. This Bahaar Blue Snake Print clutch by Offduty London is much easier to get your hands on and is currently on sale for a bargain of £7 down from £28.
For shoes, Royal slipped into her favourite Prada 85mm Pumps, which look identical to this sale-price style by LK. Bennett (£124, down from £249).
Sophie’s dress was teamed with a huge shell-style fascinator hat and strappy Mary-Jane style shoes (Image: Getty)
Ascot day three, 2022
On June 16, 2022, Sophie debuted a striking multicoloured floral dress that cost a whopping £4,950. It was designed by Suzannah, a brand loved by many royal women, and featured a full length hemline with red, blue, yellow, pink and green shades throughout.
The silk occasion gown is made to order exclusively in the Suzannah London atelier and comprises 100 percent silk fabric. Complete with a v-neckline, detailed shoulder straps and cinched waist, the gown features a graduated hemline which is shorter at the front and longer at the back.
Sophie’s exact dress has inspired many high-street alternatives, including this Mirrored Floral Print Pleated Woven Maxi Dress for £153.30, and the Mirrored Print Satin Crepe Angel Sleeve Woven Maxi Dress (£174.30 down from £249), which boasts similar colours to Sophie’s £4,000 gown. Fashion atelier Boden also sells this tri-coloured V Neck Puff Maxi Dress for £155.
The royal paired her Suzannah dress with a pale pink hat in the shape of a seashell. This is a Jane Taylor hat known as ‘Mena’ and costs a whopping £2,465. High street alternatives for this expensive accessory include the Accessorize Tie Bow Fascinator in pink, £49, and this £85 Hobbs Bow Fascinator sold by Marks and Spencer.
Sophie’s shoes are the Penelope Chilvers Tango Suede Shoe in Tan/Ultraviolet, though they are no longer available online. Marks and Spencer have a good alternative; the Geox Suede Block Heel Square Toe Slingback Shoes (£130), as does John Lewis with the Boden Mary Jane Block Heel Shoes, Classic Leopard Pony, also £130.
Anyone in the market for a bag similar to the Duchess’ Sophie Habsburg orange ‘Bean Bag’, which sells for €310 or £264, could invest in this LK Bennett Dora Leather Clutch Bag which costs £199 at Next.
