Queen Camilla is attending Ladies Day at Cheltenham racecourse.

13:10, Wed, Mar 11, 2026 Updated: 13:13, Wed, Mar 11, 2026

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Ladies Day - Cheltenham Racecourse

Zara Tindall and Queen Camilla on day two of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse (Image: PA)

Queen Camilla has surprised racegoers by attending Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival. Her Majesty, who yesterday gave a powerful speech supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, hailed the first black woman to win a jump race as “just brilliant”.

The Queen also reunited with her niece-in-law Zara Tindall at the famous racing event, with the two posing for a photo together. See you up there,” Camilla said, before heading to the royal box, where was joined by her son Tom Parker-Bowles, daughter Laura Lopes and her husband, Harry Lopes.

Camilla, joint patron with the King of the Jockey Club, was at Ladies Day on the second day of the Festival, where she met women in the sport who have made their mark.

Camilla, wearing a honey-coloured cashmere coat by Anna Valentine, a brown feathered hat by Philip Treacy and a Jockey Club pin, walked to the parade ring shortly after arriving at the famous racecourse, where she was introduced to Rachael Blackmore.

Blackmore, 36, was the first female jockey to win both the Grand National in 2021 on Minella Times and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022 on A Plus Tard.

She retired from racing last year and is expecting her first child with her husband, the jockey Brian Hayes.

“Oh, wow, congratulations Rachael,” the Queen told her, spotting Blackmore’s baby bump. “I know, it’s a bit different to before and the career,” Blackmore laughed.

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The Queen also chatted to jockey Aamilah Aswat, who last month became the first black woman to win a jump race in the UK, winning at Kempton Park on Guchen, a horse owned by the Friends of Ebony Horse Club.

Camilla is president of the London-based charity and community riding centre that uses horse riding to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people. “Just brilliant,” Camilla told her, asking: “When’s your next race?”

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She also met with the Rugby World Cup-winning Red Roses team members Natasha “Mo” Hunt and the captain, Zoe Aldcroft, who both also play for Gloucester. “Make sure you both have some bubbles today,” Camilla said.

Later this afternoon, the Queen will present the trophy to the winning owner, jockey, and trainer of The Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase, the feature race of day two and the most prestigious race for two-mile chasers in the jump racing calendar.