Thank you for subscribing!

The racecourse visit coincided with the release of a new interview Camilla gave to cancer charity Maggie's, in which she spoke candidly about the King's 2024 cancer diagnosis

Queen Camilla interrupted her summer break to attend the opening day of the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse today, undeterred by wet weather as she arrived sheltering beneath a transparent umbrella.

The 79-year-old, who serves as Patron of the racecourse, appeared in good spirits despite the gloomy conditions.

During her visit, she greeted St John's Ambulance volunteers, jockey Joe Fanning, racecourse staff, and representatives from local charitable organisations.

The Queen is also due to hand over the trophy to the winning owner of the day's marquee race, the Juddmonte International Stakes.

King Charles did not accompany her, having stayed on in Scotland following the formal welcome ceremony held at Balmoral Castle on Tuesday.

For the occasion, Camilla opted for a cornflower blue coat dress, layered beneath a sandy trench coat to ward off the rain, and topped with a bespoke navy blue hat by Philip Treacy, adorned with a feather.

Her accessories included light pink kitten heels with a coordinating bag, along with a diamond and sapphire butterfly brooch carrying notable royal provenance.

The piece was originally given to the late Queen Elizabeth II during the Birmingham Spring Fair in February 1977.

Camilla had previously chosen to wear it for her 79th birthday portrait released in July this year.

The King's absence from the racecourse outing was not unexpected, as he has been based at the royal family's Scottish Highland estate since the traditional Balmoral welcome took place the day before.

She revealed that Charles's response upon learning of his condition was to tell her: "I'm going to cope."

Camilla also reflected on a particularly challenging visit to a Maggie's centre in London on January 31 2024, when the King had already received his diagnosis but it had not yet been shared publicly.

Speaking to Dame Laura Lee, she said: "I remember coming to see Maggie's just after the King had been diagnosed. Nobody could say anything at the time. That was quite difficult."

She added that witnessing patients and their families at the centre reinforced for her just how vital such support services are.