Queen Consort pulls out of Newmarket visit as the weather disrupts her travel plans

The Queen Consort has pulled out of engagements in Newmarket after the weather disrupted her travel plans, Buckingham Palace said.

A Palace spokesman said: ‘Her Majesty’s engagements at Newmarket later today have had to be postponed due to the weather impacting on transport arrangements.

‘Her Majesty is of course very sorry not to be able to attend and will hope to find another date to visit in due course.’

Camilla was due to visit the British Racing School to mark its 40th anniversary and later unveil a painting at the British Sporting Art Trust in the Suffolk market town on Thursday.

The decision to postpone was taken on Thursday morning when the weather was reviewed and attempts to find alternative arrangements were not successful.

Camilla was in London on Wednesday, hosting a reception to mark International Women’s Day as president of the Women of the World Festival.

The British Racing School is marking its 40th anniversary. It was officially opened by the then Prince of Wales on 23 November 1983. Since them, it has trained thousands of people in horse racing.

It boasts more than 25 specialist racing courses, with its flagship programme aimed at 16-25 year olds who want a job as stable staff; riding and looking after the sport’s racehorses. 

Alumni of the school include well-known jockeys such as Tom Marquand; Paul Hanagan and Josephine Gordon. 

Camilla (pictured on March 7 in Colchester) was due to visit the British Racing School to mark its 40th anniversary and later unveil a painting at the British Sporting Art Trust in the Suffolk market town on Thursday

The school is also home to the Newmarket Pony Academy, a community project which uses horses and ponies to positively impact mental health and the wellbeing of children in Newmarket and its neighbouring communities. 

The Queen Consort was supposed to visit the school, then meet local school children and observe students at work.

She was also meant to unveil the painting of the Belvoir Huntsman, John Holliday at the British Sporting Art Trust, Newmarket.