Duchess Sophie's ‘unusual’ choice at Royal Ascot sparks debate
Topics: Royal Family, UK News
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo / Contributor / Getty Images
Topics: Royal Family, UK News
The Royal Ascot kicked off earlier this week (16 June), and royal fans all over have been very keen to see what the royal family would be wearing to the occasion.
The Royal Ascot, which takes place on one of the UK's most well-known racecourses, holds a special week of races in June each year, which is attended by the King and Queen, who have had a keen interest in horses since childhood.
This week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
Now, given the event's strict dress code, viewers can expect attendees to be dressing to impress, but Duchess Sophie's 'unusual' fashion choice has since raised a few eyebrows.
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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who is married to Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, the youngest sibling of King Charles III, attended the Royal Ascot on Wednesday (17 June).
She donned a black shirt dress, which featured a huge bow at the front by fashion designer Suzannah London, along with a black hat with a white trim, a black clutch and white shoes to complete the monochrome ensemble.
Sophie finished the look with her hair styled in a low bun with natural make-up finished off with a pop of black eyeliner.
Some royal fans, however, took issue with Sophie's black outfit during such a traditionally colourful event.
"Awful choice for Ascot," slammed one social media user.
A second chimed in: "I don't like the colour. Not a good choice for this event."
"Strange choice," chirped a third as a fourth agreed: “Love, love, love Sophie, but this swamps her and the colour is too strong for her. Sorry, Soph!"
And another critic echoed: "I don’t like this at all; the colour is wrong."
Others couldn't have disagreed more with one fan beaming: "Oooo, this is unusual, but I love it."
"I think she looks great! Much better than the flowery, unsophisticated prints," defended another, and a final social media user added: "Black is very chic right now this summer."
Kate Middleton opted for a far brighter look when she made her triumphant return to Royal Ascot in an eye-catching yellow dress on Tuesday (17 June).
The princess made her first appearance at the famous Berkshire meet since being diagnosed with cancer in early 2024 and later undergoing successful chemotherapy treatment.
Kate wore a vibrant yellow dress by Roksanda and a matching Jane Taylor hat with earrings that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Tyla has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.