King Charles and Queen Camilla grimace as their horse fails to place at Epsom Derby race
The King and Queen arrived at Epsom Derby this afternoon, as they have a horse in one of today's races.
King Charles and Queen Camilla made a surprise appearance at the 2024 Epsom Derby this afternoon to watch some horseracing but were left sadly disappointed by the result.
They were there to watch their filly, Treasure, run in the Betfred Oaks this afternoon. The horse was bred by the late Queen Elizabeth.
Bookies placed Treasure in eighth place, on odds of between 18/1 to 26/1, however, the horse ended up coming in 11th, with Ezeliya scooping the win.
Camilla wore a pale blue and white dress by Bruce Oldfield and a matching trilby by Philip Treacy, while the King looked dapper in a grey suit with a lilac tie and pocket square.
The royal couple have both dressed suitably for the wet weather with raincoats.
The Epsom Derby is the most prestigious race of the flat season and was a firm favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth, who regularly attended the annual fixture.
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The royal couple were greeted by their racing adviser John Warren, who introduced them to senior executives from the racecourse before they made their way to the royal box.
Dunfermline in 1977 was the last horse to carry the royal colours to victory in a British classic, winning not only The Oaks but also the St Leger at Doncaster, in what was the late Queen's Silver Jubilee year.
Queen Elizabeth II landed five classics in all, with Carrozza her first Oaks winner in 1957, while Charles and Camilla enjoyed a memorable first flat racing season last year, with Desert Hero winning at Royal Ascot before finishing third in the St Leger.
Charles and Camilla presented a trophy after the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup, a race they watched from the stands which was won by 9-4 chance Luxembourg ridden by Ryan Moore, with 7-4 shot Emily Upjohn finishing fourth.
Since becoming monarch the King has eagerly followed horseracing as his late mother did, even though he was traditionally not as much of a fan.
He attended Royal Ascot in its entirety last year and was visibly moved when one of the royal horses emerged victorious.
His niece Zara Tindall commented how it was a bittersweet moment for the family, the year after the loss of the Queen.
She said while they were pleased with the win, they would also be wondering "how proud and excited our grandmother, the Queen, would have been."
