The Queen's last visit to East Lothian was just over six years ago - on July 8, 2016 - when Her Majesty helped Musselburgh Racecourse celebrate its 200th anniversary.
Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, she watched the racing from The Queen's Stand she had opened in 1995 - but victory at Musselburgh eluded her when the two horses entered from the Royal stables, Forecaster and Elementary, finished third in their respective contests.
The Queen meets retired Royal Regiment of Scotland mascot Cruachan III, during a visit to Musselburgh Racecourse. Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire.
The Regimental Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Scots Borderers, accompanied by Royal Regiment of Scotland mascots, Cruachan lll and lV, performed for Her Majesty and the Duke, watched on by an enthusiastic crowd.
On her departure, the Queen was presented with a bouquet of flowers by racecourse caretaker Adam Nish and his wife Elaine, who at the time had together worked at Musselburgh for 80 years.
Bill Farnsworth, Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, said today: “Like the rest of the nation and everyone involved in horseracing, we are deeply saddened to hear this news [of the Queen's passing].
"On her second visit to Musselburgh Racecourse, to mark our 200th anniversary, the Queen took a genuine interest in the development and history of the racecourse and I remember fondly the day as a true celebration of horseracing and one on which she put smiles on countless faces.”
The Queen watches the races from The Queen's Stand with the Duke of Edinburgh and racecourse general Manager Bill Farnsworth during a visit to Musselburgh Racecourse. Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire.
In 1995, the racecourse was honoured when Her Majesty made her first visit to the Honest Toun to perform the opening of The Queen’s Stand.
It was a Monday afternoon on July 3 at about 5.30pm when the Queen arrived at the racecourse to be greeted by members of the Musselburgh and Fisherrow Trades Band playing the national anthem.
Watched by up to 1,000 people - including East Lothian Council officials, elected representatives and members of the Lothians Racing Syndicate - Her Majesty unveiled a plaque commemorating her historic visit and officially opened the stand named in her honour.
She visited the paddock to watch the runners being paraded before the first race; however, her attention was all on the second race in which her horse, Piquant, was entered but the 6/4 favourite sadly finished the race in seventh place.
Following the success of Musselburgh Racecourse's bicentenary celebrations, Buckingham Palace granted the course permission for Musselburgh to stage a new race, The Queen’s Cup, in honour of the monarch.
The £100,000 race is a stayers-open heritage handicap which traditionally features in Musselburgh's opening flat race of the season at Easter and precedes the top stayers' handicaps, The Chester Cup, Northumberland Place and The Ebor.
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