Nicky J Sims/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse

The races at Royal Ascot are nearing their end for the year, and that typically means that royal attendance also declines. That’s certainly the case today — but we did get our annual appearance from a rather interesting former member of the family!

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The Queen, as usual, was indeed on hand for the fourth day of the races, wearing a vibrant green outfit with touches of pink.

DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images

She accessorized with another brooch from the Queen Mother’s collection: the Courtauld Thomson Scallop-Shell Brooch. The brooch, which was made in 1919, was bequeathed to the Queen Mum in 1944 by Winifred Hope Thomson, a writer and artist. The diamond and pearl brooch has become one of the most-worn pieces out of the large cache that the Queen inherited from her mother in 2002.

The Queen’s granddaughter, Princess Beatrice of York, accompanied her father, the Duke of York, to the races — but sadly, as per usual, left her jewelry at home.

But she did bring someone else along with her: Fergie! Sarah, Duchess of York usually attends one day each year at Ascot. Today she accessorized her navy blue outfit with diamond and pearl drop earrings and numerous bracelets, including one featuring her daughters’ names.

We also had a sighting of another princess: Princess Haya of Jordan, wife of the Sheikh of Dubai. We caught a glimpse of her drop earrings as she and her daughter, Sheikha Al Jalila, accepted the trophy after their horse won the King Edward VII Stakes.

Haya has also attended other days of this year’s Royal Ascot meet. I particularly enjoyed the classic jewels she wore on Tuesday’s first day of the races.

Get excited, everybody! It’s the most wonderful time of the year again: Royal Ascot, AKA HAT CHRISTMAS! Let’s have a gander at the millinery and bejeweled wonders on display, shall we?

The Queen wore pink for Day 1, which is always good, but even more thrilling is the fact that she debuted a brand-new brooch! And even better? It’s a major British heirloom. The Crown Ruby Brooch originally belonged to Queen Victoria; it was set with opals instead of these enormous rubies when it was made by Garrard in the 1850s. The brooch was later altered, and the opals were replaced. It was worn by Queen Mary, and then by the Queen Mum. Today was the Queen’s first-ever public appearance in this important brooch. So exciting!

No real jewel surprises, however, from the Duchess of Cornwall, who wore her standard pearl and diamond jewelry. The neckline of her dress, however, also gave us a glimpse of the small pendant she wears underneath her larger necklaces. (The hat? The minty cornhusks need to go.)

Sophie Wessex was the picture of elegance, as per usual, but she also didn’t offer any jewel surprises, wearing the same pearl cluster earrings and brooch that she’s been sporting frequently over the past few weeks.

Princess Anne wore a golden brooch, plus pearl stud earrings, but the real story? THAT HAT. What in the world is growing underneath the brim???

No jewelry, as usual, for Princess Beatrice. And I’m concerned that her hat is making a run for it.

Zara Phillips was sunny and happy in a petite yellow and taupe hat, plus small earrings.

Royal Ascot is the gift that keeps on giving in terms of royal reaction photos. Here, Autumn Phillips wears silver-toned earrings amid her shock!

The Duchess of Gloucester wore the same set of sapphire and diamond earrings and clips that she wore recently at a garden party, but this time she placed the clips side by side.

The patch was back for Princess Michael of Kent, who coordinated it with her black-and-white jewels, hat, and dress.

Lady Sarah Chatto was also in bold black and white colors, wearing earrings that belonged to her late mother, Princess Margaret. (I think the brooch may also be one of Margaret’s, but I can’t be sure from this angle.) But the bigger question: is that a real camera or a fancy purse?

One more customary royal guest stopped by for the first day: Princess Haya of Jordan, wife of the Sheikh of Dubai. Love the small pearl earrings, totally perplexed by the hat. There is such a thing as too many flowers.