Horse extravaganza to mark Queen’s milestone

Anever-before-seen spectacle of horses and stars of the stage and screen will be the first major celebration marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year.

Entitled A Gallop Through History, the 90-minute extravaganza will feature more than 500 horses and 1,000 performers in a dazzling display of pomp and pageantry in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Tickets went on sale last week.

Speaking to hello!, the Queen’s head groom Terry Pendry said: “Next year’s going to be extraordinary. It’s never been done before, but we’re doing it at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Horses are Her Majesty’s passion, absolute passion.”

Unveiling details of the celebration, which takes place 12-15 May, organisers said it would be “a personal tribute to our monarchy”, complete with A- list stars taking the audience on a journey from Elizabeth I to the present-day Queen.

Dame Helen Mirren and Stephen Fry, who helped publicise the event, are said to be “in close negotiations” to take part.

A Gallop Through History is being produced by the team behind the Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration, which won the 2017 Bafta for the Best Live Event. Organisers hope to beat the £1.2m it raised for charities, with next year’s proceeds destined for NHS and key-worker charities, among others.

The design of a new medal to be awarded to front-line emergency workers to mark the Platinum Jubilee has also been unveiled (inset above right). It will be given to staff with five years of service as part of next year’s celebrations.

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