Sarah, Duchess of York, looked on top form on Tuesday as she joined the King, Queen and other members of the Royal Family for the first day of Royal Ascot. Standing alongside her daughter, Princess Beatrice and son-in-law, Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi, the Duchess looked the picture of elegance as she re-wore a navy Saint Laurent jacket from 1980.

The Duchess’ sustainable choice will undoubtedly come as a delight to royal fans who are often keen to point out when an item has been re-worn. Sarah’s attendance at the first day of the iconic event comes after she shared news of her visit to a Swiss clinic in Zurich which focuses on helping those with mental health and addiction problems.

Her striking navy ensemble was both elegant and deeply personal. The standout piece was her designer blazer—a beautifully tailored jacket featuring intricate lace detailing and strong shoulders. Remarkably, the piece has been in her wardrobe for at least 45 years, a testament to her enduring taste and commitment to timeless fashion.

The structured silhouette of the jacket created a flattering, cinched shape that highlighted her waist and added a touch of vintage glamour. Paired with an asymmetrical navy dress and a dramatic fascinator with a netted veil, the overall look was polished yet full of character.

By choosing to re-wear a decades-old designer piece, the Duchess not only showcased her impeccable eye for investment fashion but also made a quiet yet powerful statement about sustainable style.

In an age of fast fashion, her look served as a reminder that true elegance lies in quality, longevity, and the confidence to revisit classic pieces with pride.

Sarah’s sustainable fashion ethos has clearly influenced her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who often take style cues from their mother. Both women have embraced mindful fashion choices—re-wearing pieces, championing vintage looks, and curating wardrobes that reflect timeless elegance over trend-led excess.

While the Duchess’ visit was purely for her to deepen her understanding and to learn how she can use her public platform to reduce the stigma around mental health, she has opened up about her challenges in the past.

Sarah has spoken about the impact that cruel press coverage during the time she was married to Prince Andrew and pregnant with her two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, had on her.

Writing movingly in the Telegraph, the Duchess describes “the profound scars” of her childhood that “led to feelings of unworthiness [that] contributed to an unhealthy attitude to food that often threatened to spiral into a full-scale eating disorder”.

Sarah, who has been diagnosed with both breast and skin cancer in recent years also explained how she was impacted by “tabloid headlines of the 1980s and 1990s” and more recent “comments on social media (which I regard as a cesspit)”.After sharing her latest update, the Duchess looked thrilled to be back at Royal Ascot with her family.

Sitting in the first carriage with Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud and Lady Sarah Keswick, the King and Queen looked delighted to be back.

As the Royal Procession began, Princess Anne waved to the crowds from the second carriage, where she was seated alongside Queen Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot, and the Duke and Duchess of Wellington.

Meanwhile, in the third carriage, the King’s nephew, Peter Phillips, was joined by his girlfriend, Harriet Sperling, and author Anthony Horowitz, who sat next to his wife, Jill. The fourth carriage carried Lady Joanna Morton Jack, her husband, Henry Morton Jack, as well as Lord and Lady Vestey.