The Queen will not attend the Epsom Derby tomorrow but is expected to watch the major sporting event on television at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The Queen had a “lovely” time at Thursday’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations but found the day “very tiring”, the Duchess of Cambridge is said to have told an attendee at a Guildhall reception.
Gill Smallwood from Bolton spoke with Kate today after a service of thanksgiving at the nearby St Paul’s Cathedral. Ms Smallwood said she had asked Kate how the Queen was doing.
She told the PA news agency: “She (Kate) said, ‘yes, she was fine, it was just very tiring yesterday, and she (the Queen) had had a lovely, lovely time’.”
She said Kate told her that Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte also “had a lovely time” at Thursday’s celebrations, during which all three Cambridge children appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony for a flypast.
Ms Smallwood, chief executive of domestic violence charity Fortalice, was made an MBE in the New Year honours.
Phil White, London regional director for The Jockey Club, said: “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.”
