Camilla feeds donkey at palace reception for equine charity
THE Queen fed carrots to donkeys and horses as she hosted a reception for a “remarkable” equine welfare charity at Buckingham Palace.
Camilla met Alfie the donkey and Lala, a Shetland pony, along with famous charity supporters, as she marked the 90th anniversary of Brooke yesterday.
Camilla has held the role of president for the Uk-based international charity, which protects and improves the lives of horses, donkeys and mules, since 2006.
Founded in 1934, initially to support abandoned horses from the First World War, Brooke has gone on to help 1.4 million working animals directly and now works across three continents and 15 countries.
Camilla saw the organisation’s work first hand when she visited a Donkey Care Club during a state visit to Kenya last year.
The Queen was first introduced to Alfie and Lala in the palace’s quadrangle.
She snapped a carrot in two before asking “Are you greedy, Alfie?” as she fed the donkey.
Camilla then patted Lala on the nose and back, as she offered more of the carrot to eat, and noted how both animals were “about my size” before also meeting and feeding the horses.
The Queen then headed into a reception in the Bow Room, where she met several famous guests, including broadcaster Alastair Stewart and former newsreader Angela Rippon, charity staff and Ann Searight, the founder’s granddaughter.
After she was shown a short video, Camilla cut a Brooke anniversary cake and received a framed gift.
Giving a short speech, she said: “Can I thank you all for your support – it [Brooke] is the most remarkable charity.”