HM’s horse and jokey...
Monarch in good spirits during Royal Windsor Horse show
THE Queen beamed with delight as her horse was named supreme champion yesterday after she made an unscheduled appearance at the Royal windsor horse show.
Looking relaxed and laughing, the head of state arrived yesterday morning in a Range Rover and watched entrants in the parade ring, before chatting with officials through the open window.
Due to her mobility problems, the 96-year-old monarch had to miss the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday on the advice of doctor and delegated the role to Prince Charles and Prince William.
She was last seen in public at a service commemorating the life of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, in March.
Fears were mounting over whether she would be able to attend her Platinum Jubilee celebrations over the bank holiday weekend from June 2.
But royal watchers were overjoyed to see Her Majesty allay fears for her health as she appeared in her element watching the horses yesterday.
In all, she spent almost an hour at the parade ring close to her Windsor Castle home.
She chatted with retired racehorse trainer Henrietta Knight. Colin Brooks, chairman of the show’s committee, also shared a joke with the Queen, while head groom Terry Pendry was on hand.
A royal source said: “The Queen was in her element, you could see a permanent grin on her face from the moment she arrived. Everyone is delighted she looked so well.” Just before midday, she appeared once more with Prince Edward to walk into the grandstand, with just the aid of a walking stick.
Her Majesty was overjoyed as she watched the Highland Class 64 event and her horse Balmoral Leia was named winner and was later announced as supreme champion.
The Queen was driven back to Windsor Castle but returned to the show with the Earl and Countess of Wessex in the main arena.
She was rewarded when her winning horse beat other breed
champions to be named winner in the Horse & Hound Mountain and Moorland Supreme in Hand Championship.
She also watched as Sophie and Edward’s daughter Lady Louise Windsor took part in a carriage display marking the centenary of the Fell Pony Society.
It was revealed this week how palace aides and organisers had made contingency plans for Her Majesty to attend the horse show in maximum comfort, including being driven in a 4x4 car.
Similar plans are in place for the Queen travelling to Trooping the Colour.
Her Majesty is hoping to attend the horse show finale tomorrow, featuring more than 500 horses and 1000 performers in an extravaganza, A Gallop Through History, designed as a tribute to the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
Actors Tom Cruise and Helen Mirren are among the stars who will be taking part. Many of the Queen’s great-grandchildren will also make an appearance.
Members of the public recorded the Queen on their phones yesterday.
Tourist Cathy Paige, of Massachusetts, said: “We were 10ft from Her Majesty, she had perfectly coiffed hair – she was perfect. I even made eye contact.”