Kate Middleton’s Elie Saab powder blue dress is race day perfection

Racing season has officially started.

The first day of Royal Ascot kicked off today with the annual festival a noteworthy social event and unsurprisingly, all eyes were on Kate Middleton. As is tradition, the royal family were in attendance with the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice pictured in their glad rags. Of course, Kate Middleton's outfit is always of great interest to fashion fans and today's Elie Saab ensemble is no exception. The mum of three was wearing a powder blue midi-length design paired with a beautiful Philip Treacy hat which featured a statement flower in the same shade. Kate's bling didn't go unnoticed either with the Duchess choosing a pair of earrings from Kiki McDonough, one of her jewellery favourite designers and the overall effect proved the perfect racing day look. The 36-year-old wasn't the only one to wear blue with it proving the colour of choice for Eugenie, Beatrice and Zara Tindall among others. When it comes to racing attire, Ascot has a number of very specific rules in place with dresses required to be a certain length and hats to be worn at all times. Unfortunately, the weather didn't play ball on this occasion and many racegoers were forced to shelter under voluminous umbrellas, including William and Kate. The official Kensington Palace Instagram account shared a photo of Kate from today this evening, together with a little history about the esteemed event.

"Ascot Racecourse was founded by Queen Anne in 1711, and has since received the patronage of a further eleven monarchs. The Ascot summer race meeting officially became a Royal week in 1911. The Queen is owner and breeder of many thoroughbred horses and shares her interest in horses with many members of her family — and The Queen's own horses have won races at Royal Ascot a number of times".