What happens when Britain’s most glamorous horse racing event collides with the hottest day of the year? A cocktail of style, sweat, and a whole lot of champagne.
Royal Ascot 2025 delivered its usual mix of elegance and excitement—but with a heatwave thrown in, things quickly went from polished to parched.
Racegoers Sizzle Under the Sun
As temperatures soared above 32°C (almost 90°F), attendees dressed to the nines braved the heat in full morning suits, designer dresses, and hats big enough to block the sun (though not quite effectively).
Many left the racecourse visibly wilting, and some quite wobbly after generous rounds of bubbly in the blazing sunshine.
Even King Charles was spotted adjusting his tie in the tropical air, while other guests reached for old-school fans and cold drinks to cool down.
The sunny chaos spilled out into the streets of Ascot as revellers slowly made their way home after a long—and very hot—day.
Ladies Day Brings Bold Fashion and Famous Faces
Though there’s no official prize for best-dressed at Royal Ascot, that didn’t stop racegoers from turning out in show-stopping style.
Bright prints, bold colors, and coordinated group outfits dominated the scene.
Ladies Day has always been about fashion flair, and this year’s crowd didn’t disappoint—even if the heat threatened to melt their makeup.
Among the crowd were some well-known names.
Jerry Hall made an appearance alongside her son Gabriel Jagger and his wife Anouk Winzenried, adding a touch of old-school glamour to the event.
Heatstroke, Horses, and a Historic Race
The heat wasn’t just hard on the humans—horses were visibly struggling too, with staff using buckets of water to cool them down between races.
The health risks were real. Over 40 people needed treatment for heat-related illnesses, and at least one was taken to hospital as the sun showed no mercy.
But despite the conditions, the racing went on. One of the biggest highlights of the day was seven-year-old Trawlerman clinching victory in the prestigious Gold Cup.
Jockey William Buick took the reins in this two-and-a-half-mile race, steering the horse to a dominant win.
Once ridden by the legendary Frankie Dettori, Trawlerman finally had his moment of glory, as the crowd—and even the royals—cheered on.
Britain Heads into a Sizzling Weekend
This year’s Royal Ascot may have kicked off with pageantry and panache, but it also served as a warning sign.
The UK is in the grip of a heatwave, with parts of the South and East expected to hit 34°C (93°F) over the weekend—hotter than Hawaii.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a four-day amber heat health alert, warning of serious impacts to hospitals, care services, and vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly.
Officials say this kind of extreme heat could lead to a rise in illness and even deaths.
Even usually cooler regions like Newcastle are forecast to reach 31°C (88°F).
While temperatures are expected to drop back into the mid-20s next week, it’s clear this summer is already making its presence known in a big way.