It’s a nailbiting moment for Queen Camilla at the derby…

Pursed lips, bitten gloves and a very nervous wince… clearly the King and Queen struggled to rein in their feelings during a day at the races.

The couple were on the edge of their seats as they watched their horse Treasure race in the Oaks at Epsom’s Ladies Day yesterday.

With tempting odds of 18/1, there were hopes Treasure would echo the success of other horses bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Two of her horses were ridden to victory in the prestigious Oaks – Carrozza in 1957 and Dunfermline in 1977.

Treasure is a daughter of stallion Masterscraftsman and Shimmering Light, which was placed for the late monarch in two races in 2017. 

However there was to be no royal win this year, with Treasure finishing 11th out of 12 runners.

The prize money for the race totalled to £541,035 for the top six positions out of the 12 runners – with £311,905 going to the winner. 

Trainer Ralph Beckett, who met the King and Queen before the race, said: ‘I think they enjoyed themselves and hopefully there will be other days for [Treasure].’

He added they ‘decided to have a go at the Oaks as the ground should be in her favour’, adding that he had been ‘very pleased with her progress’. 

The handler also described the King and Queen as ‘such enthusiastic owners and it is great to be training such a nice filly for them who is running in a Classic’.

A rendition of the national anthem was sang – as Charles and Camilla watched on – before the race began. 

The King’s horse Treasure started off solidly, settling in third position and standing out from the all brown pack in grey. 

However, the pack was strong and after a struggle to keep up Treasure finished eleventh. 

Charles and Camilla enjoyed a memorable first Flat season last year, with Desert Hero winning at Royal Ascot before finishing third in the St Leger.

Treasure won on her racecourse debut at Nottingham in October last year before finishing fourth behind stablemate You Got To Me in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on her reappearance three weeks ago.

Earlier in the day, the King and Queen presented the trophy to Luxembourg ridden by Ryan Moore, the winner of the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup after watching the race from the stands. 

They then made their way to the Royal Box where Camilla wrapped up against the cold in a £630 coat from Camilla And Marc and a ribboned hat designed by Philip Treacy.

The King, who is also expected to attend Trooping the Colour this month, returned to public duties in April after being diagnosed with cancer in February.