Revellers at Royal Ascot spilled out onto the street as they were spotted heading home on the hottest day of the year so far.
Drinks were flowing in the scorching heat and many racegoers were looking a little worse for wear after leaving the venue.
Even King Charles was seen adjusting his tie in the tropical conditions as other racegoers cooled down with magnums of champagne and old-fashioned fans.
And the going was stifling for the horses, who were doused in buckets of water as forecasters warned of a four-day heatwave set to see Britain turn hotter than Hawaii – with 34C (93F) expected in the South and East this weekend.
Royal Ascot, known as the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, will welcome hundreds of thousands of punters during the five-day meet.
The term Ladies Day was first used in 1823 when an anonymous poet described the Thursday of the annual meeting as ‘Ladies’ Day … when the women, like angels, look sweetly divine.’
While there is no official prize on offer for best dressed lady as there is at other race meetings, ticket holders were still eager to put their best foot forward.
Stylish racegoers at today’s event turned the racecourse into a sea of vibrant outfits as they donned bright prints to ensure they stood out from the crowd.
Many of those arriving at the main spectators’ enclosure opted for coordinating outfits with their friends too.
However, the combination of the blistering sun and an indulgence of drinks proved tough for many.
A large police presence was spotted throughout the Berkshire town to keep people in check.
Fans were treated to an exciting day of racing as seven-year-old Trawlerman won the Gold Cup with his jockey William Buick.
In a race that dates back to 1807, the horse on his 21st race sprung out of the starting stalls and never looked back.
The horse, which was ridden by legendary jockey Frankie Dettori eight times, began its career during the pandemic.
But yesterday it had its finest hour in the two-and-a-half-mile race.
Buick was congratulated by King Charles and Queen Camilla, who braved the heat in Berkshire.
Also amongst the punters for Ladies Day were famous faces such as former model Jerry Hall, who attended with her son Gabriel Jagger and daughter-in-law Anouk Winzenried.
As temperatures soared in excess of 32C –almost 90F – racegoers clad in their finery, including full morning suits for the men, began dropping like flies.
At least one person was taken to hospital and more than 40 treated for heat-related illness.
The last time Britain reached 34C in June was almost six years ago on June 29, 2019, at Northolt and Heathrow. The record for the month is 35.6C (96.1F) on June 29, 1957, at Camden Square, central London.
As The UK Health Security Agency issued a four-day amber heat health alert from noon yesterday until 9am on Monday, even Newcastle-upon-Tyne is forecast to hit 31C (87.8F) tomorrow.
The agency warns ‘significant impacts are likely’ across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a rise in deaths – particularly among those aged 65 and over.
An official heatwave is logged when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25-28C (77-82F) in different parts.
Temperatures are set to fall back to the mid-20s by the start of next week.
