Queen Elizabeth Will Not Attend The Epsom Derby Says Buckingham Palace
The Palace announced yesterday that the Queen would not be attending the Thanksgiving Service at St Paul's Cathedral after experiencing "discomfort" at Trooping the Colour. And today, they have confirmed that she will not be at the Epsom Derby tomorrow, another event that she had initially hoped to attend throughout her Platinum Jubilee weekend.
"We can confirm Her Majesty won't be attending the Derby tomorrow but is expected to watch it on television at Windsor Castle," a spokesman said, adding that Princess Anne was expected to attend on her behalf.
There were plans for the Queen to be greeted by a guard of honor of her current and previous jockeys and this is still expected to happen in her absence. “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," Phil White, London Regional Director for The Jockey Club said in a statement.
A passionate racehorse owner and breeder, the Queen usually attends the Derby every year and is photographed cheering her horses on from the royal box. It had initially been earmarked as one of the Platinum Jubilee events she would be at but has been understood for the last week that she was unlikely to go. It is not known when she will next be seen throughout the extended weekend as she is not expected to go to the concert outside Buckingham Palace on Saturday night.
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