Pursed lips, bitten gloves and a very nervous grimace… clearly the King and Queen struggled to control their feelings during a day of racing.
The couple were on the edge of their seats as they watched their horse Treasure race in the Oaks at Ladies Day at Epsom yesterday.
At tempting odds of 18/1, there were hopes that Treasure would echo the success of other horses bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Two of his horses won the prestigious Oaks: Carrozza in 1957 and Dunfermline in 1977.
Treasure is a daughter of the Masterscraftsman stallion and Shimmering Light, who was placed for the late Monarch in two races in 2017.
However, there was no real victory this year, as Treasure finished 11th out of 12 runners.
The couple were on the edge of their seats as they watched their horse Treasure race in the Oaks at Ladies Day at Epsom yesterday.
Queen Camilla was pictured looking tense as she watched the Treasury race today.
Camilla watched the race unfold, with Treasure originally starting strong.
Prize money for the race amounted to £541,035 for the top six positions of the 12 runners, of which £311,905 went to the winner.
Trainer Ralph Beckett, who met the King and Queen before the race, said: “I think they had fun and I hope there are other days for (Treasure).”
He added that they “decided to try Oaks as the terrain should be in their favour”, adding that he was “very pleased with their progress”.
The handler also described the King and Queen as “such enthusiastic owners and it’s fantastic to be able to train such a nice filly for them to run in a Classic.”
A rendition of the national anthem was sung, as Charles and Camilla watched, before the race began.
The King’s horse, Treasure, started strongly, placing third and standing out from the all-brown-on-grey field.
However, the field was strong and after a struggle to keep pace, Treasure finished eleventh.
However, the field was strong and after a struggle to keep pace, Treasure finished eleventh.
Trainer Ralph Beckett described the King and Queen as “such enthusiastic owners and it’s great to train a filly so nice to them to run in a Classic.”
Charles and Camilla enjoyed a memorable first season on the Flat last year, with Desert Hero winning at Royal Ascot before finishing third in the St Leger.
Treasure won on her debut at Nottingham Racecourse in October last year before finishing fourth behind her stablemate You Got To Me in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on her comeback three weeks ago.
Earlier in the day, the King and Queen presented the trophy to Luxembourg, ridden by Holland Cooper Coronation Cup winner Ryan Moore, after watching the race from the stands.
They then headed to the Royal Box, where Camilla bundled up against the cold in a £630 coat from Camilla And Marc and a ribbon hat designed by Philip Treacy.
The King, who is also expected to attend Trooping the Color this month, returned to public duties in April after being diagnosed with cancer in February.
