Royal Ascot has officially kicked off for 2026, with the opening day of the exciting horse racing event taking place on Tuesday (16 June), and plenty more action expected across the week. As the name suggests, the event has a long history with the Royal Family, and we’ve already seen a number of members arriving at the event, alongside some other familiar faces.
One of the first stars to attend Ascot this year is Dame Mary Berry. The National Treasure has a long-forged connection with the Royal Family, and the Princess of Wales in particular, having taken part in a number of projects together. For instance, filming a baking special together, as well as Dame Mary crafting a special wreath which was used to decorate Westminster Abbey, for the Princess of Wales’s annual carol concert in December.
![woking, england september 10: catherine, duchess of cambridge and mary berry attend the back to nature festival at rhs garden wisley on september 10, 2019 in woking, england. (photo by samir hussein/wireimage)](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/a7aaab8e-5201-4d3a-b05f-c1b8b211466d.jpg?resize=980:* "The Duchess Of Cambridge Attends "Back to Nature" Festival")
This week, Dame Mary was channelling her favourite royal in a different way – through her clothes. The TV cook chose a strikingly similar dress to a number of pieces favoured by Kate, in her favourite pattern: polka dots.
The Princess’s most-worn style to Wimbledon, for example, is polka dots, with navy dresses and skirts featuring small white dots her most frequent choice. Kate even dressed Princess Charlotte in a miniature version to attend back in 2024.
For Royal Ascot, Dame Mary Berry chose the Lucie Dress Deep Navy Polka Dot by Holland Cooper, which features long, puff-shoulder sleeves and a pleated midi skirt. The exact dress is currently available to buy online for £299 (at time of writing), although some sizes are already beginning to sell out:
If you’re looking for a similar version but with full-length sleeves, this Nobody’s Child version is a great choice and – even better – is currently on sale. It’s reduced from £89 to £53.40:
Black Polka Dot Ottillie Midi Dress
Ghost also do a similar dress if you prefer short sleeves, for £129:
Of course, while Dame Mary and the Princess of Wales have favoured navy, there are plenty of similar polka dot dresses in different colours, which are just as stylish and flattering. For instance, Joules’s red shirt dress for £55:
River Island’s high-neckline white dress is a great maxi length option for £39:
River Island White Short Sleeve Polka Dot Maxi Dress
River Island White Short Sleeve Polka Dot Maxi Dress
Boden’s jersey dress is perfect if you’re looking for a more casual choice – and it’s currently half-price at £39.50:
Boden Cathy Notch Neck Jersey Dress Hunter Green, Painted Dot
And this brown dress is ideal for any fans of Pretty Woman who remember Julia Roberts’ iconic look:
Royal Ascot started on Tuesday 16 June and will run until Saturday 20 June. King Charles and Queen Camilla have attended so far, as well as Princess Anne and her children, Zara Tindall, with husband Mike, and Peter Phillips with his new wife, Harriet.
