King reveals he is chasing the one prize that eluded his mother
If successful, it would mark the first time that the monarch, who took on his late mother's beloved stable of horses, would have entered a thoroughbred in the world-famous race.
During an official visit by both the King and Queen to the National Stud in Newmarket, the King hinted that he was trying to get a horse ready through his royal stud operation at Sandringham, Norfolk.
Brian Finch, chairman of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said after speaking to him: 'We were talking about him getting a Derby runner and he said 'We're working on it'.
'Everybody is hoping the royal family will have a Derby winner soon.'
Thoroughbreds owned by Elizabeth II won four out of the five flat racing classics – the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks twice and the St Leger – but a Derby win eluded her.
More than 500,000 people turned out at Epsom Downs to see the late Queen's first runner in the Derby in 1953, just four days after her coronation. Aureole finished second to Pinza and it remained the closest she came to glory.
The late monarch was an avid horsewoman and a lifelong supporter of horse racing. She was royal patron of The Jockey Club for 68 years from 1954 until her death in September 2022.
Now the King and Queen, who are also passionate about the sport and are enthusiastic breeders, are joint patrons of the National Stud in Newmarket.
During their visit to Newmarket, they viewed a painting of Queen Elizabeth II with one of her beloved horses, which now takes pride of place in the Jockey Club Rooms.
Elsewhere, the King's linguistic efforts were singled out for praise.
Arriving at a statue of the legendary thoroughbred Mill Reef who won many of his races in the early 1970s, the King was told by one employee: 'Compliments on your French during the State Visit – fabulous', to which he jokingly replied: 'I don't know about that. I did a lot of brushing up.'
The monarch spoke in both French and English as he regaled guests at a state banquet at Windsor Castle during Emmanuel Macron's state visit earlier this month.
He included tales of the long history between Britain and France, citing cultural references from Asterix to sparkling wine.
The monarch, who is fluent in French, previously won plaudits when he switched effortlessly between French and English during a historic speech during his 2023 state visit to Paris.
He was praised for his 'almost perfect' pronunciation during the 18-minute address at the Luxembourg Palace, which marked a first for a British sovereign.
On Tuesday, Their Majesties also spent some time greeting many of the 1,000 well-wishers who had descended upon the Suffolk town.
Lee Harman, from Bury St Edmunds, said afterwards of his chat with the King: 'I asked him how he was, and he said he was feeling a lot better now and that it was 'just one of those things'.'
After telling Charles about his own cancer issues, Mr Harman added: 'He asked me how I was and I said 'I'm all good', I got the all clear from cancer last year.'
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