It's not Royal Ascot, but sisters Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer added a blue blood touch to Australia's most-revered horse race. The absence of their older sister Kitty has robbed us of inserting a race-day appropriate pun about hitting the trifecta, but in this case the quinella will have to do). Photo: Sam Tabone / Getty Images
Two of Princess Diana's nieces have added dash of royalty to Australia's most-revered day of horse racing.
Twin sisters Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer were among the throng at Flemington Racecourse to watch the Melbourne Cup today. The sisters, both wearing the same shade of tomato-red, opted for ladylike looks. Neither took advantage of the newly relaxed dress code for the members' section at Flemington, which has allowed men and women to wear shorts for the first time in 162 years. The new dress code also allows women to show off their midriffs (but not their belly buttons) and wear outfits with exposed backs or cut-outs. If you think this is a sign that Flemington has gone to the dogs, rest assured that bralettes and strapless crop tops are still a no-no, and any shorts worn must rest just above or below the knee.
On Thursday, New Zealander Anna Campbell will line up to compete against other hopeful contenders for the grand final of the annual Melbourne Cup Fashion on the Field contest, which has a total prize pool of more than $350,000.
Brightly attired contestants in the Fashion on the Field contest parade for judges and bystanders. Photo: Asanka Ratnayake / Getty Images
Journalist, model and author Kate Waterhouse - daughter of Australian horse training legend Gai Waterhouse - is well-suited for Melbourne Cup festivities. If you're wondering what that hat is reminding you of, it's Celine Dion's look at the 1999 Academy Awards. Photo: Sam Tabone / Getty Images
Hats off to you: one of these racegoers may have fashioned her hat from coathangers during Melbourne's long pandemic lockdowns, the other has gone for a Van Gogh sunflowers vibe. Photo: Josh Chadwick / Getty Images
Forget Delta Dawn, Delta Goodrem is determined to be remembered in this sunshine yellow number, complete with matching hat which will ruin the view for anyone sitting in the stands behind her. Photo: Sam Tabone / Getty Images
In fashion terms this is what's known as a mash-up: Wellington public servant meets aspiring craft beer brewer. Damien Broderick embraces the new shorts-friendly dress code with aplomb. Photo: Sam Tabone / Getty Images
No shorts or - gasp! - exposed midriffs here, just some very pretty dresses in sorbet shades. Photo: Asanka Ratnayake / Getty Images
What are the odds on a punch-up in the toilets when the Spencer twins see that 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador Demi Brereton (herself descended from racing royalty) is wearing a very similar frock? Photo: Sam Tabone / Getty Images
Nicole Purton and champion jockey husband Zac Purton arrive at Flemington Racecourse. Mrs Purton's outfit is clearly flouting the length rules for shorts, so it's just as well it's a dress. It's also dangerously close to the same shade as the Spencers and Demi Brereton's... things could get ugly later. Photo: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images