THE EARL and COUNTESS OF WESSEX cheer on LADY LOUISE WINDSOR as she pays tribute to her grandad at the Royal Windsor Horse Show

DRIVES THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S CARRIAGE AS SHE COMPETES AT THE WINDSOR HORSE SHOW

Looking every inch the proud grandmother, the Queen was thrilled as she watched her youngest granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor take the reins of her late husband’s carriage at one of her favourite equestrian events, the Windsor Horse Show.

And, dressed dow nina lightweight green coat, dog-print headscarf and sunglasses, she was clearly delighted to see the 17- year- old continuing her late husband’s legacy.

Louise, in a green tweed jacket and striking olive felt top hat with a feather trim, looked equally thrilled to be taking part in the event, held every year in the private grounds of Windsor Castle. She was all smiles as she drove the green horse-drawn carriage – which made a poignant appearance at Prince Philip’s funeral in April – into the arena.

The teenager and her mother, the Countess of Wessex – who were both taught by Philip – joined in the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet of the British Driving Society for the three-and-a-half-mile drive around Windsor Park, and congregation in the Castle Arena afterwards.

Mother and daughter also enjoyed some downtime and

‘My father-in-law was really encouraging of Louise. He was just brilliant with her’ The Countess of Wessex

strolled around the grounds to soak up the atmosphere. Louise looked chic in a navy Zara blazer with gold buttons, wide-legged trousers and nude Chloé shoulder bag, while Sophie, 56, was elegant in a grey jacket, white ruffled blouse and a blue feathered Hayfield England fedora that she’d bought from the milliner’s stall earlier in the show.

The Queen, who attended from Thursday to Sunday during the five-day event, wore a brightpink coat and hat in the Royal Box to present the Princess Elizabeth Cup for Best Turned Out Trooper. The prestigious award followed a meticulous inspection of Household Cavalry uniform and horses; the eight finalists have the honour of guarding Her Majesty during her next Trooping the Colour birthday parade.

SHARED PASSION

Sophie recently told how the Duke, who died in April aged 99, encouraged Louise in her pursuit of the sport that became his late-life passion.

“My father-in-law was so good at encouraging,” she said. “He was really encouraging of Louise. So when she not only said: ‘Please can I have a go?’ but then when she showed a flair for it, he was just brilliant with her.

“They used to chat away about it and he would always turn up if she was competing in the Great Park and watch her training days.”

‘The Duke would always turn up if Louise was competing’ Sophie

Lady Louise Windsor drives the carriage (above) that belonged to her late grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, and which featured at his funeral. The Duke always encouraged the teenager in their shared sport

The Queen beams as she watches her youngest granddaughter driving her late husband’s carriage, and (right) sees her own horse Daydream III win the Intermediate Show Riding Type class

Lady Louise smiles as she drives the carriage into the Castle Arena, looking stylish in a green tweed jacket and olive top hat with feather trim

Sophie and Louise take some downtime and stroll around the grounds, while the Queen observes the horses (below) The Queen inspects members of the Household Cavalry for their uniform (below) before later presenting an award for Best Turned Out Trooper. The finalists will have the honour of guarding Her Majesty at Trooping the Colour

Looking radiant in a pink coat and hat, the Queen presents the Princess Elizabeth Cup for Best Turned Out Trooper to the winning member of the Household Cavalry