Queen Camilla made a surprise appearance at York Racecourse.

Shocked racegoers watched on as Camilla, wearing a blue button through coat, walked through the venue on day three of the Ebor Festival (Friday, August 23) with security and followed the action on the course through binoculars.

She was met by William Derby, the chief executive of York Racecourse.

It is understood that the Queen attended to watch the Crown Estate, the horse she co-owns with King Charles which was bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Crown Estate raced in the 5.20pm Sky Bet Mile Handicap but did not place.

Queen Camilla with racing manager John Warren during day three of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York RacecourseQueen Camilla with racing manager John Warren during day three of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York Racecourse (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

The Ebor Festival started on Wednesday and comes to a close this afternoon (Saturday, August 24).

In May Camilla became the Royal patron of York Racecourse.

She replaced Prince Andrew, who stood down from the role in 2019 as part of the fallout from his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The racecourse had not had a Royal patron since then.

Queen Camilla with trainer John Gosden during day three of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York RacecourseQueen Camilla with trainer John Gosden during day three of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York Racecourse (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

“York Racecourse is both honoured and thrilled that Her Majesty The Queen has agreed to be the Royal Patron of York Racecourse,” the racecourse said in a statement at the time.

“Both the King and the Queen have a keen interest in both racing and breeding, with the bloodstock interests of the late Queen Elizabeth II having passed into their joint ownership.

“This latest role builds on existing links to the sport for Her Majesty, notably as patron of the National Stud as well as being president of the Ebony Horse Club, a riding charity in Brixton, London.”

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Queen Camilla has visited York races on several occasions.

In 2016, as the Duchess of Cornwall, she was in York to watch her horse Pacify, trained by Ralph Beckett, finish in second place at the Dante Festival.

Camilla was back in 2018 when Pacify entered the Knavesmire winners enclosure at the July meeting.

Pacify also had second place finishes in York that year at the Queen Mother’s Cup in June and at the Ebor Festival.