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Britain's aristocrats bring out their most colorful plumage and head off to the races this week to participate in a rite of summer that has endured for 300 years. At left, Queen Elizabeth II tours the parade ring in a carriage on June 19, 2007, the first day of the five-day Royal Ascot 2007 meet. Keep clicking for more of the sights.
Royal Ascot 2007
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The Royal Ascot races are known, first of all, for flamboyant hats. Think Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady." Here, ladies pose at the Ascot Race Course in southern England on the first day of Royal Ascot, June 19, 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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For men, a top hat is the accessory of choice, and in fact is still required in many areas of the Ascot Race Course. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arrive at Ascot on June 19, 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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The Prince of Wales tours the parade ring in a carriage on June 19, 2007, the first day of Royal Ascot 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, holds on to her hat during the Royal Tour of the Ascot parade ring on June 19, 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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Racegoers wait next to the parade ground to see the Royal Procession on June 19, 2007, the first day of Royal Ascot 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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The Royal Procession heads up the track at Ascot Race Course during the first day of Royal Ascot, June 19, 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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Queen Elizabeth II got caught looking grumpy here, but she's known to be an avid racing fan. She has attended every Ascot meeting since 1945. This year, her bright pink dress and jacket were made by Karl Ludvig, and she wore a matching Philip Somerville hat.
Royal Ascot 2007
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Racegoers socialize at the edge of the parade ground on the first day of Royal Ascot, June 19, 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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Racegoers gather to watch the first day of Royal Ascot on June 19, 2007. Top hats and tails remain compulsory for gentlemen in parts of the course.
Royal Ascot 2007
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For the ladies, Royal Ascot is a fashion competition of sorts. Here, women in bright outfits line up to have their photographs taken on the first day of Royal Ascot 2007, June 19, 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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A lone pink cowboy hat gleams out of a sea of top hats on the first day of Royal Ascot, June 19, 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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A racegoer wears a flamboyant hat on the first day of Royal Ascot race meeting, June 19, 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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A race fan in purple poses on the first day of the Royal Ascot races, June 19, 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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Looking a bit like one of the monsters in "Pirates of the Caribbean," a lady in an elaborate hat poses on June 19, 2007, the first day of Royal Ascot 2007.
Royal Ascot 2007
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Photographers take pictures of a woman in a Union Jack outfit on June 19, 2007, the first day of Royal Ascot 2007 in Ascot, England.
Royal Ascot 2007
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Two men in morning suits watch the action on June 19, 2007, the first day of Royal Ascot 2007 meeting.
Royal Ascot 2007
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But what about the race? Here's the crucial moment during which Jamie Spencer, in pink, and Excellent Art pulled ahead of Mick Kinane riding Duke Of Marmalade to land The St James's Palace Stakes Race run on June 19, 2007, the first day of this year's Ascot meet.
Royal Ascot 2007
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Apparently overcome by the excitement, racegoers take a snooze between races on the first day of Royal Ascot, June 19, 2007.
