Royal Ascot 2026 Dress Code Is Out — and Kate May Have Called It Years Ago [See Pictures]
Kate May Have Called Royal Ascot 2026’s Biggest Fashion Trend Years Ago
All it takes is one fashion statement for it to age like fine wine. It turns out the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, may have set the tone for the upcoming Royal Ascot 2026 without even knowing. After all, her striking dress from 2023 goes hand in hand with the new theme announced for the much anticipated royal event.
Red Returns
During the Royal Ascot event in 2023, Middleton became the talk of the town in a bold red Alexander McQueen gown next to Prince William as they arrived in the carriage procession. Now, the same shade has been declared as Royal Ascot’s first-ever ‘color of the year’ for 2026. As per the newly released Royal Ascot Handbook: The Art of Dressing Well, the standout shade is called ‘bright tomato.’ It immediately led to many royal watchers noting that Middleton seemed to have predicted the trend years before the official announcement.
All About Summer Joy
Creative director for the event, Daniel Fletcher, also shed some light on why they chose such a vibrant hue. He told New Idea magazine, “Every year at Royal Ascot, there is always one trend that stands out as a big hit, with butter yellow and periwinkle blue being recent examples.” As he spoke about the upcoming event, he continued, “For 2026, we’re seeing a distinct shift towards confident, expressive colour with bright tomato set to take centre stage as a defining shade in occasion wear, bringing a bold new direction for the Royal Ascot palette. That bright orangey-red of a ripe tomato creates an instant feeling of summer joy.”
Dates for Dresses
With fashion inspiration already taken care of, attendees can now prepare for the five-day event with that in mind. Royal Ascot 2026 is scheduled from June 16 to June 20 at Ascot Racecourse. During the event, gates open daily at 10:30 am, a royal procession takes place at 2:00 pm, and the races begin at 2:30 pm. Some of the highlights include the Gold Cup on June 18. It’s also known as Ladies’ Day and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on June 20.
Tickets and Traditions
The event remains open to the public, and the tickets are priced at £25-£37 (approx. $33.79-$50.01) depending on the day and the time one has made their bookings. Entry to the premium Queen Anne Enclosure starts at £75 (approx. $101.36). However, access to this area is far more difficult. After all, it requires sponsorship from two current members and a joining fee worth £100 ($135.15), keeping up with Ascot’s oldest tradition.
Dress Code Decoded
Apart from the horse racing, the Royal Ascot is also popular for its strict dress code. Women attending must wear dresses or skirts that are just above the knee or longer with straps wider than an inch. They must also wear hats instead of fascinators. On the other hand, men are expected to appear in either black or gray morning suits with waistcoats and top hats. As the guests are encouraged to embrace the bright tomato shade, they can do so through statement dresses, hats, ties, or even pocket squares. Thanks to Middleton, maybe the royal family already has the perfect style blueprint for the year.