PALIN MITENK BLOG

By Tamara Abraham

Holding the court: Simon Cowell with good friends Sinitta and Jackie St Clair at Ladies' Day at Ascot


He can usually be found at the head of the judging panel on a reality TV talent show.
But yesterday Simon Cowell found himself holding the court in a different capacity - Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot.

Dressed in a smart morning suit, Simon spent the day socialising with friends including Sinitta and Jackie St Clair while watching the races in Berkshire.

While Sinitta accessorised her silver satin dress with a matching dress, Ms St Clair went for drama in her midnight blue dress, which she teamed with a large red poppy hat.


Dramatic: Ms St Clair looked dramatic in a red poppy hat and midnight blue dress


And while Ms St Clair and Sinitta both looked sophisticated enough to be let into the Royal Enclosure, former Emmerdale actreess Roxanne Pallett found herself being turned away because he dress was too short.

Luckily, as she happened to be performing in a show at the Theatre Royal in nearby Windsor, the 27-year-old actress was able to go there and change into something more conservative.

With the help of the wardrobe mistress, she was able to find a hat, clutch bag and shoes to match her cream Warehouse dress in Debenhams in Slough - and thankfully the new look met with stewards' approval.


Quick change: Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett was allegedly turned away by Ascot stewards because her black dress was too short. She returned in a cream one, complete with matching hat, shoes and bag


A spokesman for the racecourse said that there was no particular dress code for the event, with the exception of the Royal Enclosure, which is famously strict.

Among Miss Pallett's fellow racegoers were Louise Redknapp, who also wore black - perhaps making a reference to the fact that she has been a football widow this World Cup.

The television presenter enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time with her husband, who joined her in traditional top hat and tails.

Joan Collins went for the more optimistic shades of pale blue and white in a hat designed by celebrity milliner Philip Treacy, while the Queen, who had been tipped by bookies to wear purple today, arrived in a pastel lavender combination with orange flowers on her hat.

She was greeted with applause as she arrived according to tradition in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of York and the Crown Prince of Bahrain in the first carriage, with Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie following them in the procession.


Glamorous: Louise Redknapp managed to drag husband Jamie from the World Cup for Ladies' Day today; Bruce Forsythe attended with his wife Wilmelia (right) who looked striking in orange


source: dailymail