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30 Photos Of Royals With Horses That Capture Their Deep & Abiding Love
Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images
The royal family seems to love all animals, of course, but horses appear to have a special place in their hearts. Whether they are petting them, riding them, or getting them to pull them around for weddings and such, the many photos taken of royals with horses over the years are evidence of just that.
Queen Elizabeth II herself has long been considered an excellent horsewoman in her own right, and the rest of her family appear to have picked up on her passion. After all, she has been attending the Royal Ascot in the third week of June to watch thoroughbred horses race since 1945 when she was just a young princess in her 20s. According to Britain Magazine, Queen Elizabeth has owned horses that have taken the top prize at the Royal Ascot over the years.
Her oldest son and heir Prince Charles also has a deep love for horses, having played polo for 40 years before suffering an injury that ended his run in 2005. No worries, though, his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, have taken up the charge as polo players.
Of course, the royal family doesn't look at horses as simply sport animals. These photos show a real love for horses that starts young in the royal family and endures for decades.
Waiting For The New Princess Of Wales
When Diana Spencer married Prince Charles in 1982, they were carried away from their ceremony at Westminster Abbey in a horse-drawn carriage. Hey, horses needed their moment in the spotlight, too.
White Horses On Hand For A Royal Wedding
White horses were on hand to take Prince William and Kate Middleton away from their wedding ceremony in April 2011.
Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Carriage
No big surprise but still just as classy. Of course Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left their wedding in a carriage pulled by a team of white horses in May 2018.
Camilla The Horse Whisperer
Camilla Parker-Bowles is a lot like her mother-in-law when it comes to horses, like her champion horse Pacify who she fawned over after he won the Matchbook Betting Exchange Novices' Hurdle at Kempton Park Racecourse in 2019.
G'Day Prince Harry
Prince Harry visited a ranch in Australia and worked as a jackaroo cowboy on a horse owned by a friend of his late mom in 2003.
The Royal Horse Portrait
In 1946, the war was over and King George VI got back to the business of loving horses with his daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.
Prince William Playing Polo
In 2012, Prince William played a charity polo match with a new audience member: his 1-year-old son Prince George.
Prince George Cheering On His Dad
Prince George sat on his mom Kate Middleton's knee at his dad's polo match in 2012, but he only had eyes for those horses.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Making Friends In Morocco
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stopped to visit the Moroccan Royal Federation of Equestrian Sports in Rabat in February 2019, just a few months before they became parents.
Horses And Kids: A Perfect Kate Middleton Combo
Kate Middleton might be a spectator at all of those polo matches of her husband's, but when it comes to getting up close and personal like she did in 2017 at Farms For City Children, she clearly has the touch.
Prince Philip Is All About Horses, Too
In 2003, Prince Philip competed in a dressage event for the International Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. He also played polo in his early years.
Two Royal Sisters And Their Royal Horses
Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were just two sisters going for a ride around the palace in 1940, no big deal.
The Real Horse Princess
If anyone has surpassed Queen Elizabeth as a horse lover it might be her daughter Princess Anne. She has a long and illustrious history as a genuine horsewoman, as per Horse and Hound, which continues to this day.
Sibling Rivalry
Princess Anne is clearly winning this horse race against her older brother Prince Charles in 1969.
Camilla Reigns Them In
Camilla Parker Bowles reigns in a royal horse in 2017.
Prince George Is Unimpressed
Prince George was only 1 year old when he watched his dad play polo in 2012, but already he looked like he though horses were not a huge deal.
Prince Louis, On The Other Hand
Prince William and Prince Harry played against each other at a King Power charity polo match last July and little Prince Louis couldn't get enough of the horses.
The Queen Loves Horses
Queen Elizabeth II has been a deeply devoted lover of horses her whole life, and continues to ride horses around her Windsor Estate to this day.
The Queen Riding With The President
In 1982, the queen diverged from her usual state dinner and instead went out on the trail to ride her horse Burmese alongside President Ronald Reagan. Please note their clothes match.
Princess Elizabeth Takes A Ride
Queen Elizabeth was still just a little princess during her riding lesson in the park at Windsor Castle.
Prince William's Pony Love
In 1988, Princess Diana and Prince Charles introduced little Prince William and Prince Harry to a pony and they couldn't be more excited.
Prince Harry Gets His Turn
Princess Diana led her youngest son Prince Harry around on his pony at Sandringham Estate in 1988 and made it look adorable.
Start 'Em Young
The royals start them young from the looks of Prince Harry and this Shetland pony at Highgrove Estate when he was just little.
Prince William Learning To Do Tricks
Prince William was already learning how to do tricks on his pony Smokey in 1986.
Prince William Riding Smokey
Princess Diana looked like a pretty patient teacher in 1986 at Highgrove Estate with Prince William and Smokey.
Prince William Leading The Way
As Prince William got bigger, so did the ponies at Highgrove Estate.
Princess Diana Cheers Charles On
Princess Diana was on hand to cheer her husband Prince Charles on during a polo match at the Guards Club in 1985.
Diana, Princess Of Ponies
No wonder Princess Diana introduced her sons to ponies... she has been hanging out with them since she was 14 years old, apparently. This one was her pet pony called "Scuffle."
Prince Harry Reminiscing About His Pony Days
Maybe Prince Harry was thinking of the Shetland ponies of his youth when he greeted this one in Scotland with Meghan Markle in 2018.
How Royal Celebrate Anniversaries
In 1972, it was the silver anniversary of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth. They celebrated at their Balmoral Estate looking at a horse.
