An early arrival books his vantage point in the stands ahead of a packed opening day of racing at Ascot on Tuesday

Race fans start to arrive in all their finery and get their first glimpse of the improvements made to the new grandstand

Top hats, tails and some extravagant headwear are the order of the day as the stands start to fill up with eager visitors

The paddock is a riot of colour and cutting-edge millinery as punters study the form and the competition in the hat stakes

Race goers enjoy the sunshine and show off some outlandish creations as Ascot awaits the arrival of the royal entourage

The arrival of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in horse-drawn carriage signals the official start of the meeting

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall enjoy the sights as the procession winds its way to the royal enclosure

Mick Kinane on board favourite Henrythenavigator leads the field home as racing gets under way with the Coventry Stakes

Craig Newitt pilots Lee Freedman-trained Miss Andretti home in the King's Stand Stakes, ahead of Dandy Man and Magnus

Jamie Spencer (in the pink silks) comes from the back of the field on Excellent Art to win the St James's Palace Stakes

Frankie Dettori executes his victory leap off Ramonti after just pipping Jeremy to the post in the Queen Anne Stakes

Dettori's ride gives Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed their first Group One win in England since the Yorkshire Oaks in 2005

Jimmy Fortune on Full House stays clear of the field to win the Ascot Stakes, the longest race on the opening day

Martin Dwyer and Drawnfromthepast (in the purple) overtakes Kingsgate Native to win the Windsor Castle Stakes

After a busy opening day, a couple of punters take time out for a pint and a look at prospects for the rest of the meeting