Hello-Hello, and welcome to a Wednesday, is is bright and beautiful here at the Prepatorium, we hope that is the case in your corner of the globe as well.
It’s one of our favorite events every year: Royal Ascot is underway on the far side of the pond and we get to look at some fun fashion and chapeaux. Below, the Queen arriving yesterday with Prince Philip.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
We love this image of the Queen chatting with Ascot board members.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Prince Charles looked dapper, the Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla) is in the ensemble worn for Kate and William’s wedding, evidently channeling the “let’s recycle the clothing, shall we?” sentiment.
Also in attendance, Princess Beatrice (L) and her sister Princess Eugenie, far more understated than we have seen them of late.
Both young ladies looked very pretty, and rather elegant.
The overall atmosphere looks delightful, although this gentleman is clearly done in by the rigors of having to make betting choices whilst also enjoying a picnic.
Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters
And then there are those hats.
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Most qualify as legitimate headwear.
Alastair Grant/AP Photo
Others, simply over the top. Below, hat designer Tracy Rose in one of her own creations.
PA via The Daily Mail
It’s no secret yours truly adores her iPad, but this is rather silly.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty
The unfortunate proliferation of creations made purely (we’re not sure we should use that word here) for media attention is growing tedious. Below, a model wears a hat ‘created in honor of Royal Ascot’s 300th Anniversary.’
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
For a different perspective on the event, Tina Gaudoin’s piece for the Journal on Friday provides just that:
“I don’t mean to be sneery, but when was the last time you saw someone well-dressed at Royal Ascot or, indeed, at any horse-racing event?
What can you do when you are forced into an environment where your heels sink into the turf, the wind whips around your ankles and up into your petticoats, and there’s a silly rule about the wearing of headgear?
Ms. Gaudoin is the former editor of the paper’s Weekend magazine, she now resides in London and offers a different take on the event, including this point.
“The hats and outfits seen most often at Ascot are those put together by “day trippers” who compete to “outlandish” each other.”
Click here to read the entire piece, it’s a solid investment of time.
In a related note, this month’s Weekend has a number of splendid stories, including this one about the recently renovated Hôtel du Cap.
Matthieu Salvaing/WSJ Weekend Magazine
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Also today, those fond of Tiffany may want to think about staying at the St. Regis next time you’re headed into the city. Behold, the recently unveiled Tiffany Suite at the hotel.
George Chinsee/WWD
Women’s Wear Daily has the story:
The 1,700-square-foot suite features neutrals such as whites, beiges, charcoal gray and silver accented with the signature Tiffany blue.
George Chinsee/WWD
Above, the foyer described in this portion of the story:
The foyer has a Tiffany-blue glass-beaded and silver-leafed handmade wall covering, while the entry console’s design is a subtle reference to one of Tiffany’s most iconic pieces, the engagement ring.
The bedroom.
George Chinsee/WWD
While your trusty scribe feels like she is writing about the Eloise suite at the Plaza, evidently there is some shared history between the two storied firms. Lisa Lockwood’s story explains:
“There’s a long history of the two brands [St. Regis and Tiffany] working together,” said a St. Regis spokeswoman. She said in 1991 John Loring, now design director emeritus of Tiffany & Co., designed a Tiffany suite at the St. Regis, which had more jewel tones (emeralds and sapphires), heavier woods and was more masculine in feeling.
Oh. Hmmm.
With that we say g’bye, we are off to swipe TQM’s new iPad over lunch, we have offered to help set it up. (How frightening is that?!)
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ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:
- Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters
- Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The Preppy Princess 
Thanks for sharing the photos from Royal Ascot. And wow – the Tiffany suite – love it!
Wow some of those Royal Ascot pictures are royally horrible. Some of the hats are just way too over the top for me, but the Queen looked her normal refined self…glad she has not succumbed to hat overload. Its fun though to see the pictures, and glad to see the sisters have “toned down” their look, its a very welcome sight!
The Tiffany suite is gorgeous…wow!!
Enjoy your day:)
Thanks for all of the great photos. I loved being in London last week and looking at all the hats in the shops.
You neglected to tell us how much a night that Tiffany suite is. I’m thinking those pictures are the closest any of us are going to get to them.
My friend david, who was here over the weekend is going tomorrow. he’s about 6’6″ and with a top hat, tops 7′. he always gets the best pictures because he towers over everyone. look for some fun pix on friday!
I feel like I landed in Alice in Wonderland.. love it, the Tiffany Suite is swoon worthy too bad renting the suite would stretch out my packet into oblivion.
Tailgaiting out of a Rolls (it is a Rolls, yes?) + Tiffany suite at the St. Regis + stunning ocean photos du Cap = TPP hits it out of the park, per usual. Blissful imagery here.
The Tiffany suite is beautiful! If only I had $8,500 to spend on a night. Sigh.
Despite some of the over the top outfits I think Ascot would be fun. But wait til you hear my big news. I entered a little twitter contest Bollinger was running and I WON!! They are sending me via courier a bottle of champagne. I mentioned that I served vintage Bollinger RD at my wedding – maybe it was the sentiment!! So excited!!
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Camilla should have sprung for a new dress!
We all know she can afford it!
Book me the Tiffany suite— Tiffany blue is such a divine color.
Best, Lynn
That suite is gorgie! Interesting that Prince Charles has gotten more handsome as he’s gotten older – thank goodness. hehe
Tracy Reese – oh my heavens. What a travesty! Love your posts as always TPP. Xoxo
Oops! I meant Rose – 🙂 xoxo
Love the preppy baby gear!!