The biggest Royal Ascot day brought the grandest of Royal Processions, as STEVE CARROLL discovered.

IT was as if the previous two days had been just rehearsals.

From the moment the horse hooves stepped out onto the Knavesmire turf the cheering began in earnest.

It should have been no surprise. For it was obvious that Gold Cup Day - the unofficial Ladies Day - had brought out the best in Ascot fashion and finery.

The stewards were not even opening the gates, but before 10.30am the coach parks were full of fascinators, full morning suits and bus spotters.

But if battling for the registration numbers of double-deckers wasn't to everybody's taste, then the appearance of Her Majesty on course appeared to fill the gap.

Tuesday and Wednesday had set the standard, but Gold Cup Day saw the kind of spectacle which York had previously only witnessed in photographs.

In every stand, in every part of the course they craned for a view. The rails, ideal for a close up of Her Majesty, were a sea of colour - with spectators ranked six and seven rows deep.

In the Yorkshire Course enclosure, it might have been more of a case of cheeseburger and chips than champagne and Pimms, but there was barely a spot in which to stand come 1.55pm.

The weather was brighter and Her Majesty had dressed with the better conditions in mind.

Wednesday's dark purple was replaced by a light peach hat and matching jacket, again with black gloves.

As she waved and The Duke of Edinburgh, tailored in a traditional black morning suit, doffed his hat to the masses, who yelled their appreciation.

In a carriage behind, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, made her first entrance of the week on Knavesmire's famous stage.

The light and bright theme was replayed. A similar style of hat to her mother's, this one in brilliant white, was matched by an identical coloured jacket. It was simple, but it was stylish.

And all around, with the massive crowds in the Grandstand, Yorkshire Course and Royal Enclosure all donning their Sunday best, the fashionistas were having their day - and they were loving it.

Updated: 10:59 Friday, June 17, 2005