And what do you do... oh yes, you eat my f lowers!
‘Got in on the act, as always’
HE has already demonstrated that he is no respecter of status by taking a bite out of the monarch’s bouquet at a previous meeting.
And yesterday the cheeky Shetland pony Cruachan IV gave the Queen another unorthodox greeting.
Members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland welcoming Her Majesty to Balmoral were once again unable to rein in the manners of their mascot.
After a formal inspection of her Royal Guard, the pint-sized pony – handled by Pony Major Mark Wilkinson – spoke out of turn, offering a resounding neigh as the Queen turned to leave.
The smiling monarch, in a pink suit with matching hat, turned round to acknowledge the pony, saying: ‘We know where you are.’
It is only a month since the miniature pony took a nibble from a posy held by the Queen as she was welcomed to Stirling Castle. It prompted a stern telling off, as she instructed him to ‘go away’.
The Queen has moved into Balmoral Castle to continue her summer holiday, after already spending a fortnight on the Aberdeenshire estate at Craigowan Lodge, known as the Enchanted Manor.
She will have a break from public engagements until September 4, when she will open the new Queensferry Crossing bridging Fife and Edinburgh accompanied by Prince Philip.
Balaclava Company, the 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, along with the errant Cruachan IV, are this year’s Royal Guard.
A sizeable crowd of visitors had gathered to watch their five-minute inspection at midday yesterday.
One royal source said: ‘The Royal Regiment of Scotland put on a great show as always. And Cruachan got in on the act, as he always seems to.’