Even though the Grand National Festival will take place at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, 13 April, it is not expected that King Charles will be in attendance as he continues to focus on his recovery following his cancer diagnosis.
Many members of the Royal Family - including the King, Zara Tindall, Princess Anne and the late Queen Elizabeth II - have graced the racecourse in recent decades.
And, even though the monarch will not be present this year, one leading royal expert has pointed out the touching reason why the King may be particularly sad to miss this year's event.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!: "The King has turned up to Aintree a few times and I’m sure he enjoys it, especially with Camilla’s infectious enthusiasm for all sorts of racing." Then, referring to Queen Elizabeth's sentimental toast on Charles and Camilla's 2005 wedding day where she used Aintree racecourse as a metaphor for the couple's long-drawn out relationship, Jennie adds: "It must hold a very special place in his heart after his mother’s witty speech at his wedding. "He must indeed feel he is home and dry in the winners’ enclosure with Camilla… even thought things are not going quite to plan at the moment. "So it would be natural for his thoughts to turn to his mother when the Grand National is run.
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