Queen Camilla puts on animated display as she attends Ebor Festival at York Racecourse for first time since becoming patron
Queen Camilla put on a lively show when she attended the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse today for the first time since becoming patron.
The 77-year-old royal looked elegant in a light blue coat dress with floral embellishments.
Camilla paired her top with a brown hat and opted for minimal makeup for the occasion.
The Queen completed her racing outfit with a light pink leather bag and nude high heels.
During her visit today, Camilla opened the Bustardthorpe Stand, which has been designed to enhance the racegoer experience and features rainwater harvesting tanks, solar panels and a green roof.
Pictured: Queen Camilla in the Royal Box at York Racecourse as she watches the Ebor Festival through binoculars
After cutting the ceremonial ribbon, Camilla was given a tour of the grounds before taking her place in the royal box to watch the spectacle.
The royal, who has loved horses all her life, was spotted with binoculars in her hand as she closely followed the races.
The Queen’s facial expressions ranged from sheer joy to frustration as the races unfolded below.
Later, the Royal Family will also present the trophy to the winner of the Ebor Handicap, the oldest race in the organization’s history, dating back to 1843.
Today marks the first time Camilla visits the racecourse in her capacity as royal patron, a role previously held by Prince Andrew.
Camilla’s engagement follows her surprise appearance at the racecourse yesterday.
The royal was seen with William Derby, the managing director of York Racecourse, and wore her horseshoe brooch with rubies, diamonds and sapphires.
The brooch also features letters that spell out the name ‘Minoru’, one of King Edward VII’s most successful horses.
The royal gave a lively show in the Royal Box and was joined by race manager John Warren (left)
The Queen’s facial expressions ranged from pure joy to frustration as the races unfolded below
The royal – who has loved horses all her life – was seen with binoculars in her hand as she closely followed the races
Queen Camilla grimaced as she watched the action at the Ebor Festival from the Royal Box
During her visit today, Camilla opened the Bustardthorpe Stand, which has been designed to enhance the racegoer experience and features rainwater harvesting tanks, solar panels and a green roof
Pictured: Queen Camilla appeared in high spirits as she arrived at the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse
The 77-year-old royal patron of York Racecourse looked elegant in a pale blue coat dress with floral embellishments
Pictured: Queen Camilla smiles as she prepares to cut a ceremonial ribbon to open a new grandstand at York Racecourse
Queen Camilla, as patron of York Racecourse, meets racegoers at the Ebor Festival in York this afternoon
During her visit today, Camilla opened the Bustardthorpe Development, which is designed to enhance the racegoer experience
Pictured: The Royal Family shake hands with members of the parachute team during the fourth day of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York Racecourse.
During her visit today, Camilla will open the Bustardthorpe Development, which is designed to enhance the racegoer experience
Pictured: Queen Camilla made a surprise appearance at the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse yesterday
Camilla’s brooch is also decorated with letters that spell out the name ‘Minoru’, one of King Edward VII’s most successful horses.
The royal was seen with William Derby – the managing director of York Racecourse – and wore her ruby, diamond and sapphire horseshoe brooch
The Royal Family will also present the trophy to the winner of the Ebor Handicap, the oldest race in the organisation’s history dating back to 1843.
In 1909, the thoroughbred won the Epsom Derby, making King Edward VII the first monarch to win the Derby during his reign.
The late Queen’s love of horses began when she was just four years old, after her grandfather, King George V, gave her a small Shetland pony.
At the age of six she fell in love with horse riding and in her teens she became a gifted rider. She rode for pleasure all her life.
Like her late mother-in-law, Camilla is known for her love of horses, and reportedly even took over the day-to-day running of the late Queen’s stables in place of the King.
John Warren, the late Queen’s royal thoroughbred and racing adviser, previously said that Camilla, not her husband, had the greatest passion for horses.
He said: ‘He’s always followed it, but it was his mother’s interest, so it was at a distance. He has a few horses himself, particularly with the [then] Duchess of Cornwall. She’s absolutely crazy about racing.’
She also has a lifelong connection to equestrian charities. As Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla supported the Ebony Horse Club, the British Equestrian Federation and Brooke Hospital for Animals.
In 2013, she and Queen Elizabeth II visited the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, south London, where children learn to ride horses in an urban environment.
Camilla has also often spoken about her childhood, which was spent racing ponies, alongside her other great passion: reading.
In a recent interview with Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, Camilla said: ‘I think I have to admit that I ended up being a sort of pony-crazy kid because of Black Beauty, which I cried about night after night.’