The Edinburghs were joined by other members of the Royal Family, including the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales. Sophie looked elegant in a black shirt dress by Suzannah London featuring a huge bow at the front, a black hat with white trim, a black clutch and white shoes. She kept her hair in a low chignon and her make-up fresh and polished with black eyeliner.

But fans were not impressed with her “strange” choice of colour at this time of year and at such a colourful event.

One user wrote on an Instagram royal fashion page: “Awful choice for Ascot plus the dress is wearing her.”

Another person said: “I don't like the colour. Not a good choice for this event.” While a third wrote: “Strange choice.”

Another user agreed: “Love, love, love Sophie, but this swamps her and the colour is too strong for her. Sorry Soph!”

A fifth one added: “I don’t like this at all, the colour is wrong, it’s too big, just no.”

Others appeared to like the outfit, with several saying she might be wearing black due to Lady Pamela Hicks’s funeral, which took place last Saturday, on Trooping the Colour. Sophie wore cream on the day.

One user wrote: “Oooo this is unusual but I love it.” Another one chimed: “I think she looks great! Much better than the flowery unsophisticated prints.”

A third one opined: “Black is very chic right now this summer.”

Wednesday saw the return of Princess Catherine to Royal Ascot for the first time in two years.

Catherine last attended the prestigious event in 2023. She looked fabulous in a bright yellow ensemble.