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The Queen is said to be watching the Epsom Derby Day at home on the sofa in her ‘comfy clothes’ Zara Tindall revealed this afternoon, as Princess Anne stood in for the monarch alongside her family at the races on Saturday.
The Princess Royal was grinning from ear to ear at Epsom Racecourse as she and her family enjoyed the racing at Derby Day to stand in for Her Majesty the Queen who was forced to pull out of one of her favourite events of the year.
Speaking at the major sporting event, Zara Tindall, the Queen’s granddaughter, said: ‘She will be watching on the TV – she has a few runners today dotted around the country, so she knows exactly what’s going on.
‘She’ll just be sat on the sofa watching the TV. She’ll be in her comfy clothes.’
Asked about the royal procession arriving through a guard of honour of 40 of the Queen’s past and present jockeys, Zara added: ‘It was amazing. It was so nice to see so many faces. It was funny seeing them trying to fit back into the colours again, all the retired ones.
‘Obviously, we’d love her [The Queen] to be here. But it’s nice to be here. I’ve never been to Epsom before. It’s exciting. I need to go and explore.’
The monarch, who is said to be ‘fine’ despite the announcement on Friday that she was to pull out of one of her favourite events, is expected to watch the Epsom Derby Day on television from Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace confirmed.
Her Majesty has been sent a souvenir race card to follow the action from home.
Representing the Queen in her absence is Anne, Princess Royal, who has arrived at Epsom alongside her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence earlier this afternoon.
Crowds cheered and waved at the princess, who was grinning and chatting with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim
The Princess Royal could be seen laughing, waving and thanking crowds at Epsom Derby Day for making her feel welcome. Pictured with her husband Sir Tim
Also arriving at the sold-out racecourse in Surrey just before 1pm as part of a procession was children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, who was with her husband, former rugby player Mike Tindall (pictured together)
The couple arrived at the sold-out racecourse in Surrey just before 1pm as part of a procession, which included her children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, 41, who was with her husband, former England rugby player Mike Tindall, 43.
Zara, a silver Olympic medal-winning equestrian lives on her mother Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.
Peter Phillips arrived with his new girlfriend Lindsay Wallace, who is said to have met the Queen for the first time in January this year.
Crowds cheered and waved union flags as the Royals made their way on to the course.
Jubilee celebrations took place in the Queen’s absence, with 40 jockeys who have ridden for the owner-breeder, donning the royal racing silks and forming a guard of honour before the national anthem was sung. Anne appeared in the royal box while the national anthem was played by a band.
Five of the monarch’s former racehorses were also paraded, and a selection of hats inspired by the seven decades of her reign have been displayed.
Zara, a silver Olympic medal-winning equestrian lives on her mother Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire. Pictured arriving at the Epsom Derby on Saturday with husband Mike Tindall
Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips arrived with his new girlfriend Lindsay Wallace, who is said to have met the Queen for the first time in January this year
The Princess Royal’s first child Peter, 44, was pictured with his girlfriend who has been named in numerous reports as Lindsay Wallace (pictured together this afternoon), despite it being rare for the girlfriend of a member of the royal family to attend a high-profile event
The Princess Royal could be seen laughing, waving and thanking crowds at Epsom Derby Day for making her feel welcome.
Crowds cheered and waved at the princess, who was grinning and chatting with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim.
Frankie Dettori and Willie Carson, who has ridden some of the Queen’s most memorable winners, lined part of the course with the other jockeys.
Describing for BBC News the pride he has felt while riding for the Queen in her racing colours, Dettori said: ‘Every time you see these (colours) on your peg you (have) this sense of importance and it’s a great honour.
‘Look she’s a big lover of horse racing, and like you say she’s only missed the Derby twice.
After pulling out of the event today, Her Majesty has been sent a souvenir race card to follow the horse action from home. Representing the Queen in her absence is Anne, Princess Royal, who has arrived at Epsom just before 1pm today
The Princess Royal arrives at the Epsom Derby where she is greeted by trainer Nicky Henderson, pictured right, for the third day of celebrations for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Anne, the Princess Royal is pictured at Epsom Derby on Saturday afternoon. Yesterday the Royal visited penguins at Edinburgh Zoo as other members of the royal family toured the four nations of the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
‘But I’m sure today she’ll find a TV and she’s going to watch it live because she loves the Derby so much.
‘She’s been breeding horses for over 60 years she knows all the blood lines and she’s won lots of races and she’s very knowledgeable.’
Among the famous faces in attendance were Downton Abbey star Jim Carter, comedian Lee Mack and tennis coach Judy Murray.
Princess Alexandra, the sister of Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent who is a first cousin of the Queen, was also in attendance at the Epsom Derby this afternoon.
The Duke of Kent accompanied the Queen before the official RAF flypast following Trooping the Colour on Thursday. He has been a more prominent participator in great state events in recent years, since the late Duke of Edinburgh stopped going to public events with Her Majesty.
It comes after the Queen’s only runner Just Fine was removed from the World Pool Northern Dancer Handicap at the 48-hour declaration stage on Thursday.
Her hopes of winning the Derby were dashed earlier in May when her horse Reach For The Moon, who was among the favourites, and two others were withdrawn.
Four ladies at the Epsom Derby this afternoon take a selfie dressed in their regalia as the sun shines on the third day of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend
Racegoers at Epsom Racecourse wore their finery for the special Platinum Jubilee Saturday, where Princess Anne and her two children, along with their partners, arrived just before 1pm
The Epsom Derby has been running since 1780, and takes place on the first Saturday of June each year at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey. Revellers pictured with their Union Jack flags for the Queen’s Jubilee
Revellers enjoyed a glass of fizz on Derby Day at the Cazoo Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse in Surrey on this sunny Saturday
Princess Anne (pictured) attended the Epsom Derby along with husband Sir Tim Laurence, as well as her children, Peter Phillips who arrived with girlfriend Linsday Wallace, and Zara Tindall and her husband Mike
Princess Alexandra (pictured), the sister of Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent who is a first cousin of the Queen, was also in attendance at the Epsom Derby this afternoon
Thoroughbreds owned by the Queen have won four out of the five flat racing classics, the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks and the St Leger, with only the Derby eluding her.
The Princess Royal’s first child Peter, 44, was pictured with his girlfriend who has been named in numerous reports as Lindsay Wallace, despite it being rare for the girlfriend of a member of the royal family to attend a high-profile event.
Rumours of a romance between Peter and Lindsay, the daughter of an oil tycoon, first emerged last year and he showed he was serious about his new love when he brought her to his nephew’s Christening in November last year.
Racegoers turned up to the Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey in their thousands to watch the racing on the first Saturday of June
A boy poses in the Queen’s Stand during Derby Day at the Cazoo Derby Festival 2022 at Epsom Racecourse in Surrey
Racegoers study the forms on their Epsom Downs race card book, as they get ready for the horseracing on Saturday afternoon
Phil White, London regional director for The Jockey Club, said on Friday of the Queen’s cancellation to Saturday’s Derby: ‘We would like to wish Her Majesty The Queen a wonderful Platinum Jubilee.
‘It is a rare occasion that the Queen is unable to join us at Epsom Downs but we are delighted she plans to enjoy Derby Day on television.
‘We have big plans to celebrate Her Majesty’s contribution to horseracing and the nation, and these will continue in full tomorrow.
‘The Derby is a unique race and we are looking forward to welcoming people in their thousands to help us create a spectacular carnival atmosphere.’
Among the famous faces in attendance were Downton Abbey stars Jim Carter and Hugh Bonneville (pictured right), comedian Lee Mack (pictured left), and tennis coach Judy Murray
Downton Abbey star Jim Carter, pictured centre, analyses a bet beside wife and fellow actress Imelda Staunton, who is also in the period drama, and is also famous for playing Professor Umbridge in Harry Potter
Racegoers and horses are pictured in the parade ring on Derby Day during the Cazoo Derby Festival on a sunny Saturday in Surrey, on day three of the Queen’s Jubilee weekend
This year’s races are also being run in memory of horse racing legend Lester Piggott, considered one of the greatest jockeys in the 20th century, who died aged 86 last week. Pictured, racegoers at Epsom this afternoon
This year’s races are also being run in memory of horse racing legend Lester Piggott, considered one of the greatest jockeys in the 20th century, who died aged 86 last week.
The nine-time Derby winner, who had a 46 year career and notched up a total of 4,493 wins, passed away a week after he was admitted to hospital in Switzerland, his family announced on 29 May.
Rod Street, Chief Executive of Great British Racing said, ‘Lester was a true titan of sport, a one off who transcended horse racing.
Mike Tindall, husband of the Queen’s grandchild Zara, is pictured watching the action from the Royal Box at Epsom Racecourse on Derby Day
A collection of jockeys, past and present, who have ridden for the Queen, wear her silks on the second day of the Epsom Derby, to welcome Princess Anne who has taken over Her Majesty’s duties at Epsom today
Frankie Dettori, pictured centre, joins jockeys both past and present to welcome the Queen’s daughter, Anne, Princess Royal, at Epsom Derby this afternoon
Jocket Tom Marquand rides Bashkirova to victory in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes of the second day of the Epsom Derby Festival on Saturday
‘To this very day, the top answer to ‘name a famous jockey’, remains Lester Piggott.
‘Enigmatic and reserved, it was on the track that he did his talking, with nine Derby wins amongst his 30 British Classics together with 11 Champion Jockey titles.’
Sir Michael Stoute was also quick to pay tribute to Piggott and says he will forever be grateful to Piggott for helping get his training career off the ground.
Piggott rode both an English and Irish Classic winner for the Newmarket trainer, who saddles the likely favourite Desert Crown in today’s Cazoo Derby at Epsom.
Yesterday, Princess Anne visited penguins at Edinburgh Zoo as other members of the royal family toured the four nations of the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The Princess Royal joined children from Ukrainian orphanages for an animal handling session in the Rainforest Room at the zoo, before visiting the penguin enclosure.
She was joined by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence on her trip to the Scottish capital on Friday afternoon.
While there, the 71-year-old royal also made a visit to HMS Albion where she was pictured cutting a special Jubilee cake with a ceremonial sword.
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