Tom Jenkins's Ascot - in pictures

Racegoers take pictures through the gate Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Anneka Tanaka-Svenska has her extravagant hat adjusted by milliner Louis Mariette in the car park before entering the course. Wonder if the inspiration for the hat came from Louis's haircut? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Racegoers on mobility scooters enter the Royal Enclosure ahead of the day's racing Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

John McCririck looks in a contemplative mood as he puffs on one of his trademark cigars Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Some people will bet on anything Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The recently unveiled sculpture called "Icon" by Sebastian Conran, which took five years to complete and stands 9ft high and 22ft long. It is made from five tons of stainless steel and the authentic nose and visor of Concord Airframe No, 6, which was used for testing Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Reflections of the Royal Ascot Pavillion and racegoers in the polished stainless steel sculpture. It took more than six weeks of hand polishing to finish the sculpture and get those reflections Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The Queen's carriage is led into the winner's enclosure before racing begins Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The royal party stand during the minutes silence for Sir Henry Cecil Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Animal Kingdom is led out for the first race of the day - the Queen Anne Stakes, as he attempts to add Royal Ascot victory to his Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup triumphs Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A final check of the hat by jockey Jamie Spencer aboard Trade Storm Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Much was expected of Animal Kingdom, left, but the five-year-old, with career earnings of over $5 million, ran a forgettable race to trail in 11th of 13 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The race was won by Aidan O'Brien's Declaration of War with his son Joseph up Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Animal Kingdom jockey Joe Velasquez is quizzed by reporters after the bad run Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Nic Fiddian-Green's new sculpture 'Copper Horse' in the Royal Enclosure Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

If you want to get into the Royal Enclosure you've got to get past this steely looking character Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Studying the form Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

In the King's Stand Stakes, Christophe Soumillon on the 11/4 favourite Shea Shea (nearside) is just beaten by Sole Power with Johnny Murtagh up Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Here's Anneka Tanaka-Svenska again, this time inside the course, checking her phone. It gives us a chance to get a closer look at Louis Mariette's creation, which is made up of individually attached Canadian goose feathers, glass pearls and pink silk roses Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Watching the racing from the Royal Enclosure. The racegoers were in for a treat in the third race of the day, the St James's Palace Stakes Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

There was a thrilling finish with Kevin J Manning on Dawn Approach, left, and Richard Hughes on Toronado neck and neck as they approached the finishing post ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Dawn Approach's owner Sheikh Mohammed carefully watches the replay of the photo-finish and then had to wait whilst there was a stewards' inquiry ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

But he's all smiles after the 5/4 favourite is judged to have shaded it Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

No smiles from Joseph O'Brien after a disappointing run on Magician, the winner of the Irish Guineas, they faded out of contention in the final quarter-mile and finished last Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Bet the cleaner isn't thinking hats hats hats Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The Coventry Stakes gave Aidan O'Brien his second win of the day when his 20/1 outsider War Command romped home Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A patriotic racegoer Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

And a patriotic horse Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Lady Cecil after her horse Tiger Cliff finished 2nd in the Ascot Stakes Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The race was won by Well Sharp, owned by JP McManus, who receives the winner's trophy from singer/songwriter Mike Rutherford, left Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

What's the collective noun for a group of fancy titfers? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian