The Queen had a well-practiced escort when she took a trip to the Cheltenham Festival for the first time in many years. For her granddaughter Zara Phillips, who works to promote the event, was on hand to show her around.
It was the 1950s when Her Majesty last came along to the National Hunt Festival, and her visit is sure to have provoked some fond memories, as Cheltenham was one her mother's favourite events.
Indeed as the owner of nine Festival winners, the Queen Mother earned a reputation as one of the sport's most respected figures. It was appropriate, therefore, that the Queen unveiled a bust of her mother in the winner's enclosure.
"The fact that the Queen has come here today is a big commendation for our sport," said the course's director Edward Gillespie. "She's having lunch with Zara who will be the knowledge up there in the Royal Box telling her grandmother how it all works."
The royal relatives also had an encounter with another racing legend – the champion Desert Orchid. The Queen, who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself, gave a hearty laugh when the horse got excited and frisked in the champions' enclosure. "Oh please do keep him walking," she told his handler. "He is much happier."
Zara's hopes that her grandmother would be presenting the Gold Cup to her boyfriend, jockey Richard Johnson, were dashed, however, when last year's winner Best Mate beat him to the finish line.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
