The organizers of Royal Ascot tried to bring a renewal of dignity and formality to Royal Ascot 2012 in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Year with a strict new dress code. Because of the howling winds and rain that plagued the race meet, it's hard to tell if they succeeded or just made the Royal Enclosure and the Grandstand a little duller this year. There were even enforcers, in the form of young men and women called "Dress Code Assistants" who offered pashminas to women showing up with too much skin showing and men arriving with cravats instead of ties. The Silver Ring, where anything goes, was as much of circus as it always is. And the Royal contingent seemed smaller than usual, with far fewer of the younger generation of Royals putting in an appearance.
Photo ©Ferne Arfin