Which royals are 'set' to attend the Epsom Derby 2023 as it could be disrupted by protests?

Queen Elizabeth II was set to attend the Epsom Derby 2022, but decided to pull out of the event after experiencing ‘discomfort.’ Her daughter, Princess Anne then stepped in to represent her and was joined by her husband Timothy Laurence, and Zara and Mike Tindall.

At the time of writing, it had not yet been confirmed which royals will be attending the Epsom Derby 2023, but it is likely that Princess Anne will return once again this year with her family. The question is though will she witness potential Animal Rising protests whilst she is in attendance?

According to The Telegraph, “The Epsom Derby will have the biggest security operation in the event’s history amid fears protestors will attempt to disrupt the race. Nevin Truesdale, chief executive of the Jockey Club, said the package of measures in place were like ‘no other seen in the past.” 

Jockey Frankie Dettori, who is riding for the last time in the Derby at Epsom has expressed concerns about the protests on BBC One’s Breakfast programme when he said: “I just hope things go smoothly on Saturday, that we can get racing without creating any problems for anyone or putting anyone in danger.”

It was a natural choice for Princess Anne to step in for her now later mother, Queen Elizabeth II at the Epsom Derby last year as the Queen had a long association with the event. The Jockey Club revealed on their website that “We had the privilege of welcoming Her Majesty The Queen to The Derby Festival for nearly 70 years.” It goes on to say that “As an avid racehorse owner the Queen enjoyed watching many horses run in her colours on the historic Epsom Downs.”

Last year, Princess Anne was not only joined by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, daughter and son-in-law Zara and Mike Tindall but also by her son Peter Phillips and his girlfriend Lindsay Wallace. 

Hello! revealed that when “Speaking to reporters, Zara said of her grandmother: “She will be watching on the TV-she has a few runners today dotted around the country, so she knows exactly what’s going on. She’ll just be sitting on the sofa watching TV. She'll be in her comfy clothes.”