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 (pictured) 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

The Queen intermittently used an umbrella during the visit and even conducted a walkabout outside the Abbey in a downpour to meet members of the public, which included her tactful avoidance of a group of anti-monarchy protestors from Republic. 

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.

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

Camilla was at the privately-owned Hexham Racecourse – Northumberland’s only track – to open the Queen Camilla Stand

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 (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

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?’

Queen Camilla is a longtime and avid supporter of the sport and along with the King, has inherited Elizabeth II’s beloved thoroughbreds.

Speaking to a veterans group of representatives inside, she remarked that there were ‘still a lot of veterans’ ahead of the D-Day 80th anniversary on Friday.

Queen Camilla was also told by the group that they celebrate the veterans’ birthdays with Colin the Caterpillar cakes.

The Queen remarked that it was ‘so important that they are looked after,’ as many Second World War veterans are now over 100 years old or in their late 90s.

She also met with the parents of murdered schoolgirl Holly Newton, who she has previously met to express support in their campaign to lower the age at which victims of domestic abuse are recognised.

Speaking afterwards, Holly’s mother Micala Trussler said: ‘It’s so important that we have that big voice behind our campaign, the law really does need to change.

Camilla (pictured left) 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, 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’

Queen Camilla meets Matty Watson, groundsman, (2nd L) during her visit to Hexham Racecourse

Queen Camilla meets with groundstaff during her visit to Hexham Racecourse

‘She really supports the work that we do as well, just educating young people. It’s so important that we educate young people on relationships that they might be in now and whether or not they are abusive or safe for them to be in.’

During Camilla’s visit, she also conducted a tour of the Hexham Farmers’ Market, and walked away with fresh local produce including a jar of local honey and bresaola which she promised to ‘share’ with the King.

The Market is a weekly staple in the town and has been running since 1999. It was originally opened at the site of Hexham Mart before moving to the town centre in 2001. It has since expanded across the road to include the Abbey Flags as approximately 30 local producers operate weekly stalls.

During the walkabout, the Queen met locals who had been waiting in the pouring rain and received a myriad of various bouquets. She also received framed pictures of her and the King, drawings from school children and a poetry book titled Land of Three Rivers.

Speaking after the Queen had left, Sharon Brown, the chief executive officer of Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services, said that Camilla had apologised for not having the time to visit their headquarters in Hexham.

She said: ‘It was really brilliant to be included because she has really shone a light, she’s a real advocate for domestic abuse victims and survivors, but also for services like ours.

‘Because of the profile being raised by the Queen, I think it has helped more people to be thinking about it and talking about it.’

She added: ‘And when you’re thinking about rural areas, there’s still huge stigma attached to domestic abuse, so the fact that you’ve got the Queen speaking openly about this makes a big difference.’

Queen Camilla during a visit to Hexham Abbey, Northumberland

Queen Camilla during a visit to Hexham Abbey, Northumberland

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

Queen Camilla meets Anne Barnes, a guest at the opening of the new Queen Camilla Stand

Her Majesty also discussed the issues facing the rural community with a farming group in the Northumberland town amid the news that the UK has recorded its warmest spring on record. 

Speaking with a group from the Farming Community Representatives in Hexham Abbey, she said: ‘We’ve had absolutely wonderful weather…you must be very short of rainfall even now.

‘It will be made up for this year but how are the farmers doing, have they been having a pretty hard time,’ she asked, before adding they ‘can survive most things’.