Carole Middleton joins royals at Ascot

(CBS/AP) LONDON - The new Duchess of Cambridge, formerly known as Kate Middleton, wasn't there, but her mother was.

The royal event in question was Ladies Day at Ascot, and showers did little to dampen the spirits of hat-wearing, horse-racing enthusiasts, who turned out in droves for Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot.

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Ornate hats were out in full force at the event as much about fashion as about the racing. One group of friends wore hats in the shape of different birds as a nod to the 18th century; butterflies and roses adorned the crowns of other racegoers present at the course.

The main fashion-must have for the rain-drenched morning was an umbrella though the sun poked through Thursday afternoon.

Queen Elizabeth II, clad in pink, was present at the races for the third day in a row. Princesses Anne and Beatrice were among the other royals there. Also attending was newly divorced actress Elizabeth Hurley.

The races are marking their 300th year this month. The queen unveiled a life size bronze statue of Ascot's greatest equine legend, Yeats, at the British racecourse on Wednesday