Mary Berry shares touching moment with King and Queen

The TV cook and former Great British Bake Off judge, who lives in Henley, said it was “wonderful” to be joined at the races by the King and Queen.

The King and Queen returned to the Epsom Derby on Saturday straight from the wedding of the Princess Royal’s son Peter Phillips, which took place in the Cotswolds on Saturday morning.

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Charles and Camilla were greeted by cheers as they stepped out of their car at the Surrey racecourse.

Alongside Dame Mary and her grandson Louis Bosher, Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles, makeup artist and entrepreneur Charlotte Tilbury and broadcaster Clare Balding mingled with the royals.

Mary Berry arrives for Derby Day of the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse. (Image: PA/ Matt Alexander for The Jockey Club)

Dame Mary said it was “wonderful” to be joined at the races by the King and Queen, adding: “We came in and everybody was so excited, everybody was looking so smart.

“It’s the classic, the Derby. It’s the oldest race and it’s the one that everybody wants to follow.

“It’s steeped in history. Everybody knows all about the Derby and wants to watch it on the telly if they can’t get here.”

Before the main event, Charles and Camilla presented the traditional ceremonial cap to jockey Rowan Scott, a custom for those riding in the Derby for the first time.

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Traditionally the role of Derby-winning jockeys, it is thought to be the first time a member of the royal family has presented the cap.

Speaking to owners and racegoers after wishing Scott well, Charles joked: “Don’t spend too much money on betting.”

Mary Berry with her grandson Louis Bosher arrives for Derby Day of the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse. (Image: PA/ Matt Alexander for The Jockey Club)

The King and Queen, who are joint patrons of The Jockey Club, were last at the racecourse in May 2024, when their horse Treasure was well beaten in the Oaks.

This year they revived a royal tradition when they congratulated jockey Ronan Whelan after Christmas Day soared to victory in the Derby, as well as the horse’s trainer and owners, and presented the Derby Trophy.

The late Queen Elizabeth II, presented the trophy to the winning connections of the 2016 Derby, in celebration of her 90th birthday.

Handout photo issued by The Jockey Club of Queen Camilla speaking to Mary Berry in the Royal Box during the Derby Day of the Derby Festival at Epsom racecourse in Surrey. (Image: PA/ Matt Alexander for The Jockey Club)

The classic race was beloved by Elizabeth, who only missed two Derby days during her reign – in 1956, while on a state visit in Sweden, and in 1984, while attending commemorations marking the 40th anniversary of D-Day in France.

Mary Berry arrives during Derby Day of the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse. (Image: PA/ Matt Alexander for The Jockey Club)

Now in its 247th year, the Epsom Derby is the original Derby, after which hundreds of horse races and other sporting events are named.

The Queen wore a Jockey Club badge pinned to a pastel yellow dress and matching jacket, and joined many racegoers in sheltering from the rain under an umbrella.

The King, in a morning suit with a matching pastel yellow waistcoat and top hat, wore a Royal Artillery tie pin in tribute to Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan.