The Royal Ascot, a five-day social horse racing event, kicked off in England Tuesday. And with the kickoff came the usual bevy of things-that-resemble-hats-but-are-not-quite-hats.
Depending on the size and shape of said hats, racegoers are forced to find inventive ways to stand up straight, pose for cameras and even kiss each other hello. Ahem, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall:
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Some hats, like the one chosen by Queen Elizabeth II, are simple, lovely and practical. Others, like one below with a parrot and butterfly floating on the top, are, well, not as much.
Take a look at some of the most intricate, beautiful hats of the first day of Royal Ascot below -- from absolutely sensical to complete and utter gorgeous nonsense.
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Queen Elizabeth II: Plenty of Sense
Julian Herbert via Getty Images
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Prince Harry: Silly Yet Sensible
Chris Jackson via Getty Images
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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: Pretty *and* Hat-like
Chris Jackson via Getty Images
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Racegoer: So on Theme
Alan Crowhurst via Getty Images
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Gok Wan and Lizzie Cundy: Half and Half
Kirstin Sinclair via Getty Images
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Nazer Bullen and Kara Goodley: Slightly Sensible
Kirstin Sinclair via Getty Images
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Deborah Brett: Partial Hat
Kirstin Sinclair via Getty Images
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Anouska Lancaster: P is For Parrot (And Probably Not a Hat)
Kirstin Sinclair via Getty Images
8
Elizabeth Hurley: Hmmmmm
Kirstin Sinclair via Getty Images
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Princess Beatrice: More Like a Shield
Chris Jackson via Getty Images
6
Aly Vance: We've Entered Non-Hat Territory
Kirstin Sinclair via Getty Images
5
Isabell Kristensen: OMG WHAT?
Alan Crowhurst via Getty Images
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Lisa Tan: Cool, Just Not a Hat
Kirstin Sinclair via Getty Images
3
Carly Baker: Delicious But no Cigar
Chris Jackson via Getty Images
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Racegoer: A for Effort, F for Hat
Chris Jackson via Getty Images
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Racegoer: No Caption Necessary
Alan Crowhurst via Getty Images