Queen will not attend Epsom Derby during Platinum Jubilee celebrations

The Queen will not attend the Epsom Derby on Saturday, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

She will instead watch the event – which forms part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations – on television at Windsor Castle.

Until the pandemic, the Queen had only missed Derby Day twice in her reign.

At a reception at London’s Guildhall on Friday, the Duchess of Cambridge is said to have told an attendee the Queen is “fine” but had found the day “very tiring”.

The 96-year-old missed Friday’s celebrations after experiencing “discomfort”.

The reigning monarch was scheduled to attend the thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral to continue the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said the Queen “greatly enjoyed” her birthday parade and flypast in London but “did experience some discomfort”.

The statement read: “The Queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and flypast but did experience some discomfort.

“Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow’s National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, Her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded that she will not attend.”