King and Queen Present Trophy at Epsom Derby After Wedding

Sunday, June 7, 2026

The King and Queen presented the trophy at the Epsom Derby, where Christmas Day won under jockey Ronan Whelan, marking trainer Aidan O’Brien’s record 12th Derby victory. This win highlighted O’Brien’s dominance in British Classics and came shortly after the royal couple attended Peter Phillips’s wedding.

The King and Queen attended the Epsom Derby on Saturday to present the trophy to the winning horse shortly after attending a family wedding. The royal couple traveled to Epsom Downs Racecourse following the second wedding of Charles’s nephew, Peter Phillips, to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling in Kemble, Gloucestershire.

The race was won by Christmas Day, a 7/1 shot trained by Aidan O’Brien. This victory marked O’Brien’s record 12th winner of the Derby and his 50th British Classic success. Christmas Day was regarded as the least favored among O’Brien’s four runners ahead of the race, but betting activity increased significantly as the race approached.

Ridden by Irish jockey Ronan Whelan, Christmas Day triumphed on rain-softened ground, providing Whelan with his first Derby win. Whelan described the ride as effortless, noting that the horse appeared to relish the conditions. Christmas Day’s name joined a small group of festive-themed Derby winners, with Santa Claus being the last, having won in 1964.

Throughout the trophy presentation, Queen Camilla shielded herself from the wind and rain with a transparent umbrella as the ceremony took place at the historic racecourse. The event combined the celebration of a significant royal family occasion with one of the most prestigious horse races in the British sporting calendar.