The Queen’s beloved animals mark sad anniversary of her death in new homes, including Her Majesty’s favourite fell pony Emma – who captured nation’s mood as she stood waiting loyally with head bowed for coffin to pass
As the country marks one year since the Queen’s death on September 8, 2022, there can be few more poignant images than that of her beloved horse Emma enjoying a walk in the late summer sun in Windsor this morning.
Terry Pendry, Queen Elizabeth’s chief groom, paid his own tribute to the late monarch by leading her favorite fell pony out of the grounds where the monarch is said to have once ridden her.
The Queen was an avid animal lover and loved horses and her corgis all her life.
When she died at the age of 96, her corgis, Muick and Sandy, were accompanied by two trusted assistants as she was laid to rest.
The dogs were a gift to the Queen from Prince Andrew and his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie to help her cope with Prince Philip’s death in 2021.
After her death, the animals were returned to Prince Andrew, and today his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, posted a photo of herself with the Queen’s beloved pets.
Terry Pendry, the late Queen Elizabeth’s chief groom, paid his own tribute to the late monarch by leading her favorite horse out onto the grounds where the monarch is said to have once ridden her
Corgis Muick and Sandy were left in the care of Sarah Ferguson after the Queen’s death, Prince Andrew’s former wife said today: ‘She has entrusted me with the care of her corgis Sandy and Muick and I am pleased to say that they are doing well
She wrote: ‘As we mourn one year later, we also celebrate the wonderful times we shared with Her Majesty The Queen.
“She has entrusted me with the care of her corgis Sandy and Muick and I am happy to say they are doing well.”
During the late queen’s inauguration ceremony last year, Prince Andrew was seen speaking to aides and giving corgis Muick and Sandy a sympathetic pet.
It was later confirmed that Andrew, who stepped down from royal duties in 2022, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson would care for the pets at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where they live together.
The glossy black pony was last ridden by the late monarch in July 2022 and looked good today during a walk in September
A demure-looking Terry Pendry pats Emma on the back as he takes her to the grounds of Windsor a year after the Queen’s death
Prince Andrew, 63, pictured with the Queen’s corgis as he arrived at Windsor Castle ahead of her housewarming ceremony following the late monarch’s death last year
The royal aides who cared for the late Queen’s beloved Corgis gave them a sympathetic stroke as the Monarch’s service was underway
Also in Windsor this morning, groom Mr Pendry looked pensive as he led the shiny black horse Emma around the grounds.
At the Queen’s funeral last year, moving scenes around the world saw 25-year-old Emma step out for the final time to greet the late monarch as the royal hearse arrived in Windsor.
The groom was seen bowing his head while holding Emma as the hearse carrying the Queen passed by. He had placed a headscarf on the saddle, as Her Majesty rarely wore a riding hat.
The 73-year-old later told MailOnline, who has been head groom at Windsor for 29 years and regularly rode with the Queen, that she last rode pony Emma in July 2022.
Well into her nineties, the queen still rode her beloved horse – without a helmet
Queen Elizabeth’s groom Terry Pendry took Her Majesty’s favorite horse Emma to pay their respects yesterday. He revealed that the Queen went horse riding in July
Emma, the monarch’s trap pony, stands as the ceremonial procession of Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrives at Windsor Castle last year
Terry Pendry bowed his head respectfully as the Queen’s body arrived in Windsor for her deployment in September 2022, with Emma standing quietly by his side.
The Queen rides Emma as she trots through Windsor with Terry Pendry in happier times
Mr Pendry, who attended the service at St George’s Chapel and lives on the estate, said: ‘It was an honor and privilege to have Emma with me to say goodbye to Her Majesty for the last time.
‘I’ve been riding with the Queen for years and the last time she rode Emma was on July 18, two days before she left for Balmoral.’
Mr Pendry, who was awarded the LVO and BEM for his services, added: ‘I am sorry to say that I don’t think we will ever see anyone like the Queen again and there are no words to express how much I will miss her.
“All I can say as a faithful servant of many years is, ‘God bless her and God Save The King.’ The past few days have been very traumatic, but now we just have to continue with our work.
‘I am so pleased that Emma and I were able to say goodbye in Windsor, where Her Majesty so enjoyed riding her horses.’