Prix de Diane . . . Re-Visited . . .

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Since the second post a few days back about the Prix de Diane, over the weekend I was simply inundated with requests to continue this series; it seems that the public out there wants more. Some of the messages were very friendly and humorous, some were flat out blunt orders to show more from the Prix de Diane, or else ! I finally had to unplug the telephone and turn off the portable, it got so bad. So, as I value my health, and cannot deny your apparent growing desire for hats, hats, and more hats, we are going back to the Prix de Diane horse races in Chantilly, France, on Sunday the 12th of June. Given that the last two posts on this topic started with horses, I don't see any reason to change a winning format, so with no further ado, here is a damsel in a dress (in distress ?) on horseback, her view apparently obscured by all that gauzy cloth around her head, she couldn't see where she was going.
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Another young mademoiselle on horseback went riding by . . .
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A horse from another age who couldn't stay away from the festivities came cantering up to have his photo taken.
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With the Chateau de Chantilly in the background, an entire pack of horses came galloping up the home stretch.
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They were going hell bent for glory . . .
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While the horses were racing, some were getting their hair done, no doubt wanting to look their best for the soirées to follow.
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Some were lining up for ice cream . . .
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Others were already enjoying their ice cream. The shade of a wide brimmed hat will protect an ice cream cone from the sun, prolonging the pleasure.
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Some were simply sitting on benches enjoying the day, in all their sartorial finery.
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Some were smoking cigars . . .
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While some were smoking cigarettes . . . (under blue feathers !)
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Some were talking on telephones . . .
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While others studied the racing program, or fanned themselves with it.
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Others were sipping champagne, or was it rosé ? (Her cherry adorned hat shown in the previous post was nowhere to be seen, I couldn't help but wonder if a large hungry bird hadn't swooped down and flown off with it... and a little drink was in order to console herself ?)
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Oh, what a multitude of splendid chapeaux ! And glimpses into each individual universe of the ladies beneath the hats.
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Elton John would have approved.
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There were interviews for television occurring.
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And an endless variety of hat designs.
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Just the slightest turn of a head revealed new perspectives on each hat.
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Even orchids on one hat . . .
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Some kicked off their shoes while just kicking back to enjoy the afternoon on a picnic blanket.
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Some had long flowing curls cascading down over red velvet from beneath their red hat.
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Ah yes, I mustn't forget one of the more visible sponsors, the Longines watch company, who helped make all this possible.
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When the horse racing and hat displaying was finally over for the day, even the automobiles that many of the crowd drove home in spoke of heritage, graceful lines, and horses under the bonnet, err, hood for you Americans out there.
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