Queen’s fuchsia-coloured hat earns Royal Ascot punters thousands

The Queen was pretty in pink for Royal Ascot racegoers who correctly guessed the colour of her hat.

The fuchsia hue of the monarch’s headgear earned punters thousands and left bookies glum faced when the Queen arrived at the famous racing meet in the distinctive shade.

Thousands flocked to the Berkshire sporting event on ladies’ day with some of the female racegoers wearing outlandish hats and outfits.

The Queen arrived in the traditional carriage procession that also carried the Duke of York, his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

As a life-long horse breeder and owner, the monarch was hoping her thoroughbred Maths Prize would triumph in the Britannia Stakes but the runner was well beaten.

The Queen was without the Duke of Edinburgh who left a private hospital earlier, after spending two nights being treated for an undisclosed infection, and is likely to be convalescing at Windsor Castle.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said his firm had made pink their favourite.

He added: “Punters will be tickled pink after getting the colour right for the first time this Royal Ascot.”

Coral’s John Hill said: “Over 80% of the bets we took on what colour hat the Queen would wear on ladies’ day were for pink so many punters have got their day off to a flying start.”

British fashion designer Amanda Wakeley, who wore a black and white outfit from her collection and a Jane Taylor hat, summed up the mood of the event.

She said: “I love Ladies’ Day because everyone makes an even bigger effort. Everyone has their own take on femininity and I’m a big fan of staying true to yourself.”

Argentinian-born Paula Gibson, 59, had travelled to Ascot with British husband Jonathan Gibson from their home in Amsterdam and needed two hands to steady her large hat – a collection of exotic birds, owls, nests of eggs, butterflies, fruit and a frog.

She said: “I’ve been collecting the birds throughout the year from shops then sat down last weekend and put the hat together.

“The festivities here are so British, I love it. I’ve been coming on and off for the last 10 years and still enjoy it.”

Racegoers are encouraged to make a special effort with their outfits for Ladies’ Day, the mid-point in the five-day racing meet, which is as much a social occasion as a major sporting event for top owners, trainers and jockeys.

Marie Hudson, 76, was with a group of friends all from St Helens, and was sporting a hamper on her head filled with champagne flutes, a bottle of bubbly, sweet treats and fruit.

She said: “I just love Ascot, we come every year and just love the atmosphere. My hat was made by one of my friends Karen, it’s just something different.”