Queen Camilla refuses to let the rainy weather dampen her spirits as she visits 'the most beautiful racecourse'
The Queen has braved the rainy weather to visit what she called 'the most beautiful racecourse' and open a new stand that has been named in her honour today.
Despite the downpour, Camilla, who took shelter under a sheer umbrella, was on jolly form and smiled broadly as she chatted to locals after touring privately-owned Hexham Racecourse - Northumberland's only track.
The Queen was shown around the venue, 600ft above the town, which boasts views across the county and an undulating jump track which sits in a natural amphitheatre.
Camilla, under a photograph of the late Queen's horse No Trumps, which won a race at the course in 2019, said she hoped to come back with a runner one day.
She wore a pale-blue Bruce Oldfield outfit and a horseshoe brooch marked Minoru, which was a horse owned by Edward VII.
After officially opening the Queen Camilla Stand, she said: 'How thrilled I am to be here in Hexham.
'I haven't been here, I am ashamed to say, before but it really is the most beautiful racecourse. It has the most wonderful views.
'Unfortunately, I didn't bring the weather with me, I can imagine what it is like on a sunny day because it looks pretty good on a day like this. Next time, I hope to come back with a runner. Hopefully it emulates No Trumps.'
The Queen spoke to racing industry figures including trainer Charlie Brooks, who said afterwards: 'She is very engaged in racing issues and, without putting words in her mouth, is understanding of the challenges – she knows her stuff.'
Robert Whitelock, racecourse manager, showed the Queen around the site and said afterwards: 'It is wonderful that she came up here and I think she is delighted about the stand being named in her honour.'
Racing has been held in Hexham since 1670 and National Hunt Racing started at the current site in 1890.
The Queen, like her late mother-in-law before her, is a long-standing supporter of horse racing and has loved horses since she was a girl.
She once told ITV Racing: 'I could probably ride before I could walk.'
A follower of jump racing from her teenage years, Camilla recognised the odds were against being a winning racehorse owner.
Camilla (pictured greeting members of the public following her visit), under a photograph of the late Queen's horse No Trumps, which won a race at the course in 2019, said she hoped to come back with a runner one day
After officially opening the Queen Camilla Stand, the royal (pictured left) said: 'How thrilled I am to be here in Hexham. 'I haven't been here, I am ashamed to say, before but it really is the most beautiful racecourse. It has the most wonderful views'
Speaking to the channel in 2021, she said: 'I think people go into racing who don't know a lot about it and think 'Oh, we will buy a horse and it will win a race', but it's terribly difficult to win any race anywhere.
'The odds are actually stacked against winning, aren't they?'
Meanwhile, King Charles braved the rain in east London as he visited a creative cultural festival on Thursday, where he met Hollywood actor Ben McKenzie.
The royal, 76, travelled to Old Spitalfields Market, for the city's first ever SXSW festival where businesses and individuals involved in music, technology, screen and culture come together.
Charles attempted to keep himself dry in the typical British wet weather by holding up a large brolly as he strolled through the streets of Shoreditch.
As he arrived, the monarch beamed as he met with Karen Gibson of The Kingdom Choir - the same group who sang at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 's wedding in 2018.
The event originated in Texas but has evolved into a broader festival encompassing some of the key figures in the creative arts and technology industries.
The King looked typically stylish and dapper as he stepped out in a navy pinstripe suit paired with a crisp white shirt and a blue tie.
The Queen (pictured left), like her late mother-in-law before her, is a long-standing supporter of horse racing and has loved horses since she was a girl
Charles greeted and shook hands with American actor Ben McKenzie, who handed the king his book, Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud.
The OC star - who was sporting a beige suit with a light blue shirt - and Charles beamed as they chatted to each other inside the venue.
Charles appeared to be in high spirits as he made his way around the SXSW festival, which thousands of people have visited over the past week.
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