The Queen, 91, and Duke of Edinburgh, 96, had an unexpected “free day” and spent it at Windsor castle with their horses. The Queen was scheduled to be in London for the State Opening of Parliament but that was rescheduled for Wednesday. So she donned a pair of breeches and went for a leisurely ride.
Meanwhile the Duke of Edinburgh was photographed with his coach and horses elsewhere on the estate. Philip began driving in 1971 when he retired from playing polo. For many years he competed internationally but now enjoys driving about the grounds of Windsor Castle. In his book, “30 Years On and Off the Book Seat” The Duke of Edinburgh describes the appeal of driving.
“I am getting old, my reactions are getting slower, and my memory is unreliable, but I have never lost the sheer pleasure of driving a team through the British countryside,” he explains.
“I have been fortunate to have had a longer innings than most, and I have no intention of giving up while I have a team of willing ponies and dedicated staff and while I can still cope with the challenges which carriage driving presents me with.”
Photography Courtesy Kelvin Bruce
