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British Eccentricity, Clashing Prints, Tsar-dressing: Worst Dressed Guests at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival

LONDON In the midst of conspiracy theories and scandals, the British royal family has always held up a high standard for attending horse-racing events.

Since the 1900s, members of the royal family have been traveling to Cheltenham, a town in Gloucestershire that’s 110 miles away from London, for the Cheltenham Festival. The event always takes place in mid-March and in the past has been attended by nearly every royal family member, from Princess Diana to Kate Middleton and the late Queen Elizabeth II.

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The affair at Cheltenham Festival is usually reserved for devoted racegoers rather than those attending purely for leisurely entertainment. The event brings in an estimated 100 million pounds in revenue for the spa town.

The top prizes to be won at the competition are the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Stayers’ Hurdle, which are all considered Grade I races.

Even though Cheltenham Festival doesn’t draw in the same crowd as Royal Ascot in June, the racegoers still dress to the nines in equally flamboyant colors and outfits — not always in a good way.

Here, WWD looks at the worst style moments from the event so far.

CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Fashion during day one of the Cheltenham Festival 2024 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 12, 2024 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Fashion during day one of the Cheltenham Festival 2024 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 12, 2024 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

A tartan Vivienne Westwood skirt suit with floral tights and a coat with a leopard-print lining is a recipe for disaster. This is where Coco Chanel’s advice of “before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off,” comes in handy.

CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Brandon Hinton attends Style Wednesday, day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2024 in Cheltenham, England. This year organisers at the Cheltenham Festival have decided to re-style the traditional Ladies Day Meet calling it Style Wednesday. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Brandon Hinton attends Style Wednesday, day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2024 in Cheltenham, England. This year organisers at the Cheltenham Festival have decided to re-style the traditional Ladies Day Meet calling it Style Wednesday. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

A velvet suit is a bold choice on it’s own, but when it’s layered with a fur coat it enters tsar territory.

Racegoers arriving for day two of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Wednesday March 13, 2024. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
Racegoers arriving for day two of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Wednesday March 13, 2024. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)

Nobody is to blame for a full pink ensemble apart from “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig.

CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Race-goer David Pullar attends Style Wednesday, day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2024 in Cheltenham, England. This year organisers at the Cheltenham Festival have decided to re-style the traditional Ladies Day Meet calling it Style Wednesday. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Race-goer David Pullar attends Style Wednesday, day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2024 in Cheltenham, England. This year organisers at the Cheltenham Festival have decided to re-style the traditional Ladies Day Meet calling it Style Wednesday. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde comes to life at Cheltenham Festival.

See all the worst dressed stars in the gallery below.

Worst Dressed Guests at The 2024 Cheltenham Festival

CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Fashion during day three of the Cheltenham Festival 2024 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 14, 2024 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Fashion during day three of the Cheltenham Festival 2024 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 14, 2024 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Gloucestershire , United Kingdom - 14 March 2024; Racegoer David Pullar on day three of the Cheltenham Racing Festival at Prestbury Park in Cheltenham, England. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Gloucestershire , United Kingdom - 14 March 2024; Racegoer David Pullar on day three of the Cheltenham Racing Festival at Prestbury Park in Cheltenham, England. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Fashion during day three of the Cheltenham Festival 2024 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 14, 2024 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Fashion during day three of the Cheltenham Festival 2024 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 14, 2024 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

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Launch Gallery: Worst Dressed Guests at The 2024 Cheltenham Festival

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