Camilla was announced as “the most welcome visitor here at York today” as she arrived at the North Yorkshire venue during a downpour.
The Queen, 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.
She met retiring jockey Joe Fanning, who made a full recovery from prostate cancer at the end of last year, on the day she revealed how difficult it had been keeping the King’s cancer diagnosis a secret.
As the Queen arrived at the venue she met “unsung heroes” of the racecourse, including a member of the St John Ambulance who has volunteered for 50 years.
She also met representatives from local organisations Bereaved Children Support York, Friends of Rowntree Park and racehorse rehoming charity New Beginnings.
Camilla watched from a box as the RAF Falcons display team performed a parachute display, before taking a salute.
1. Ebor Festival
Queen Camilla watches as the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team drop onto the course as she attends the first day of the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse. Photo: Chris Jackson
2. Ebor Festival
Maltese Cross ridden by Tom Marquand on their way to winning the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes during day one of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York Racecourse. Photo: Richard Sellers
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