Ladies Day, the third day of Royal Ascot, is one of the highlights of the event that combines British horse-racing and fashion in a signature way. It is the ladies’ day to shine with the most unique hats seen anywhere.

Queen Elizabeth was very stylish in her blue and white combination. Here she is arriving with Prince Philip today, June 18, 2009:

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Today was the second day of the 2009 races at the Royal Ascot. The festivities continued with even more horses and, of course, lovely hats.

Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Prince Philip, was pretty in hot pink and white. Also in the photos below are Prince Charles, Prince of Wales; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

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It’s that time of the year when we get to see the gorgeous fashions at the Royal Ascot Races. The British royals are, of course, out in full force in their beautiful hats. Queen Elizabeth was especially sunny during Day 1 of the races.

The five-day racing event is sure to attract not just the horse fans, but also the fashion elite. This is a see-and-be-seen event, and is a chance to show off the most outrageous hats ever seen. Not for the royals, though. The royal ladies stick to more conventional, though equally lovely, toppers, while the men keep to their tophats.

More photos below:

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Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, celebrated his 88th birthday today, June 10, 2009. He was born in Corfu to Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg.

The day was just like any other working day for the prince consort. Prince Philip met with foreign travel writers to promote British tourism, and attended a reception for the Special Boat Service Association.

Prince Philip celebrated his birthday with a private party, with just a few simple public events to commemorate it. The Scots Guards played Happy Birthday during the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Both the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company fired gun salutes.

Happy birthday, Prince Philip!!!!

Image: Zuma Press

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth was pretty in pink at the 2009 Epsom Derby on June 6, 2009. The monarch, accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, was in good spirits in spite of the rainy weather. Even her umbrella was trimmed in pink to match her coat and hat.

The Queen attended the Derby, a highlight of the British horse racing year, with high hopes for her horse, History Lesson. The horse finished fifth in its race.

More photos…

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Happy happy birthday to the following royals, nobles and friends of royals!

June 8 - Andrea Albert Pierre Casiraghi (1984)

June 8 - Countess Eloise van Oranje-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg (2002)

June 9 - Princess Ragnhild of Norway, Mrs. Lorentzen (1930)

June 9 - Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark (1983)

June 10 - Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921)

June 10 - Prince Hubertus of Hohenzollern (1966)

June 10 - Prince Hashim of Jordan (1981)

June 10 - Princess Madeleine of Sweden (1982)

June 11 - Queen Fabiola of Belgium (1928)

June 11 - Prince Henrik, the Prince Consort of Denmark (1934)

June 11 - Prince Alois of Liechtenstein (1968)

June 12 - Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg (1968)

June 13 - Infanta Cristina de Borbon (1965)

June 13 - Duke Kirill Friedrich-August of Oldenburg (2002)

via Royal Forums

Prince Charles kisses Queen Elizabeth’s hand during the Chelsea Flower Show in London on May 18, 2009.

The Chelsea Flower Show in London was the scene not only of fabulous flowers and gorgeous gardening exhibits today, May 18, 2009. During an advance visit, Prince Charles received the Royal Horticultural Society’s highest honor for his passion and commitment to gardening.

Queen Elizabeth presented the Victoria Medal of Honour to her son during the royal preview for the show, which opens tomorrow, May 19. The award cited the Prince of Wales for his “passion for plants, sustainable gardening and the environment”. There is only one other royal  who has received the medal. Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, was awarded in 1961.

More photos below:

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A casually-dressed Queen Elizabeth attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Windsor Great Park this weekend.

The Queen, who is known for her keen interest in horses, watched one of her own, Balmoral Morland, win first place in class. She also enjoyed a walk around the shops, which featured various merchandise such as saddles and beer.

I wonder if she tried the show’s official beer?

More photos below:

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Queen Elizabeth attended the opening of Europe’s largest tanker terminal for liquefied natural gas on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, performed the official inauguration.

The South Hook Terminal, located in Milford Haven in Wales, is a joint project of three gas companies based in three countries: Exxon Mobil (U.S.), Qatar Petroleum (Qatar) and Total (France).

The emir’s wife Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned was also present, as was Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, who accompanied Queen Elizabeth.

More photos below, including a lovely one of Her Majesty The Queen!

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Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew and Sophie (behind the wall) on Easter Sunday 2009

The British royals, minus the younger set, got together on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, for their traditional celebration at Windsor Castle’s Saint George’s Chapel.

Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex attended the morning services led by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Rev David Connor. There seemed to be a threat of rain that morning, but the royals came prepared!

Prince Charles and Camilla were reported to be in Scotland.

More photos after the cut: 

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