Skip to content

Queen Camilla attends race meeting in York

PA Several people are gathered outdoors on a lawn in front of a brick building during a formal event. In the foreground, two people are engaged in conversation. One person is wearing a light blue jacket and a wide-brimmed dark hat decorated with ribbon and a feather, and is holding a turquoise event programme. The other person is wearing a dark suit with a patterned tie. In the background, additional attendees in formal attire are standing and talking, while photographers and a camera operator capture the event. The scene is brightly lit by sunlight, with green grass and trees adding to the setting. Visible text on the programme is too small to read clearly.PA
The Queen chatted to newly-retired jockey Joe Fanning at York Racecourse

The Queen braved some of the first heavy rain in weeks to attend the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse earlier.

Queen Camilla was announced as "the most welcome visitor here at York today" as she arrived at the venue during a downpour.

The royal, who became patron of the course in 2024, wore a blue straw feathered Philip Treacy hat, an Anna Valentine blue dress and a Jockey Club brooch.

While there, she met retiring jockey Joe Fanning, who made a full recovery from prostate cancer at the end of last year, and spoke about how difficult it had been keeping the King's cancer diagnosis a secret.

PA A person walks across a wet brick-paved courtyard holding a large transparent umbrella during rainfall. The person is wearing a light-coloured trench coat over a blue outfit, a wide-brimmed hat with decorative trim, and light-coloured shoes, while carrying a small handbag. Behind the person, steps lead up to a brick building with white-framed doors and windows. Several other people in coats are walking nearby, and bright flower displays are visible along the edges of the steps. Raindrops can be seen falling throughout the scene, and the reflective pavement emphasizes the rainy weather.PA
The royal arrived at the event during one of the first downpours in weeks

The Queen also met the "unsung heroes" of the racecourse and representatives from local organisations Bereaved Children Support York, Friends of Rowntree Park and racehorse rehoming charity New Beginnings.

She then watched from a box as the RAF Falcons display team performed a parachute display, before taking a salute.

Fanning, 55, was honoured with a special presentation after announcing his retirement last month after almost 40 years.

PA Close-up portrait of a person wearing a light blue jacket and a wide-brimmed blue hat decorated with patterned ribbon and a feather. A butterfly-shaped brooch is pinned to the lapel of the jacket. The background is softly blurred, showing an outdoor event setting with indistinct figures, tents, and seating. Bright natural light illuminates the scene, highlighting the textures of the hat and clothing. No clearly readable text is visible in the image.PA
She wore an elegant Philip Treacy hat and racing brooch during the day

His career was put on hold when he was disgnosed with prostate cancer but Fanning underwent surgery earlier this year and subsequently made a full recovery.

He said he and the Queen had discussed the fact that some of her own horses would be racing at the course later in the week and described her as a "nice woman".

PA Two people stand facing each other during an awards presentation at a racecourse event. One person is wearing a light blue jacket and a wide-brimmed blue hat with decorative ribbon and a feather. The other person is dressed in racing silks featuring turquoise, pink, and white colours and is holding a framed commemorative item. Behind them, several other attendees in formal attire are visible, including one person holding a silver trophy. A large digital display forms the background, showing the word “Juddmonte” and event branding. Bright, even lighting highlights the presentation scene, and the framed item contains text and an image that are too small to read clearly.PA
The Queen also met Irish jockey, Colin Keane

The Queen's visit coincided with a short film that was released by Buckingham Palace and Maggie's cancer charity, where she spoke for the first time about the difficult emotional experience of keeping the King's cancer a secret before it was announced to the rest of the world.

Later, the Queen presented the trophy to the winner of Juddmonte International Stakes – one of the world's premier middle-distance races.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

More on this story