Australians are more likely to be seen riding horses at Royal Ascot than trading air kisses inside the Royal Enclosure. But on Tuesday, designer Rebecca Vallance found herself in curtseying distance of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The Ballarat-born designer was dragged out of the closet — literally — by Zara Tindall, who wore a custom lilac dress from Vallance's label. Last year Tindall wore a Rebecca Vallance collared midi dress in pale blue. This time she brought the designer inside the hallowed grounds.

"I'm endlessly inspired by moments where women embrace the art of dressing," says Vallance, who launched her label while living in London in 2011. "Royal Ascot represented that commitment to creativity and tradition."

Tindall's profile has grown as Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie step back from royal events. The scandal surrounding their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and his connections with Jeffrey Epstein still lingers. Prince William and Princess Catherine also skipped the opening day races, leaving the former equestrian as the star attraction.

Tindall has worn Rebecca Vallance several times over the past year, most recently at her brother Peter Phillips's wedding to Harriet Sperling this month. She also attended the brand's launch at Harrods' London flagship store in 2023.

"It's so gratifying when someone continues to return to the brand," says Vallance. "Relationships are built over time and are a reflection of shared values rather than any single moment."

Queen Camilla and King Charles showed off complementary couple dressing in gentle spring tones. Camilla wore a bespoke pale blue Anna Valentine dress with floral embroidery and the 18.8-carat Cullinan V brooch, which she wore at the White House on a state visit to the US in April.

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, continued her style streak in a woven sinamay hat by Finley Howie, a graduate of the King's Foundation Metiers d'Art Millinery Fellowship program. The Danish-born duchess has become a firm supporter of the program, which is a partnership between the foundation and Chanel. Last year she wore a hat by former graduate Barnaby Jones, a drag-queen-turned-milliner.

Royal Ascot isn't immune to the fancy-dress fashion approach that often pops up at the Melbourne Cup carnival. Former Spice Girl Geri Horner went full My Fair Lady in a white lace dress from The Vampire's Wife. That label was a favourite of Princess Catherine's before its founder, Susie Cave (wife of Nick Cave), closed the business due to financial pressures in 2024. In April, Cave opened a new demi-couture business called Susie Cave Weddings & Funerals.

Reality TV star Kelly Osbourne also took a vampire-themed approach, wearing a bat headpiece as a goth tribute to her father, Ozzy. The look proved that even the stuffiest British traditions can handle a bit of rock 'n' roll.