King Charles III wrestled with a “spicy” horse during today’s Trooping the Colour parade, a commentator has said. The monarch debuted at the head of the procession from Buckingham Palace today, leading troops to Horse Guards in Whitehall as horse-drawn carriages carried his family behind him. While he successfully led the group down the Mall to the staging area, his horse appeared to give him some trouble as it jerked until the parade re-entered his official residence.

Speaking to the BBC, Major Vicky Fraser, the former commanding officer of the King’s troops, told presenter Huw Edwards his horse was acting “spicy”.

He was riding Noble, a horse sent from Commonwealth nation Canada, where it was raised by the famous Mounties.

Mr Edwards said the King had “shown a lot of skill” as he commanded the steed to travel during the parade and stay still at the Horse Guards.

Major Fraser agreed he was an “expert horseman”, adding that if she was the monarch, she may have requested another horse.

Don’t miss…
Expert spots how Princess Charlotte has started copying Kate on Royal visits[ANALYSIS]
Spotify executive’s foul-mouthed rant over Harry and Meghan’s podcast[LATEST]
King to be first monarch in decades to ride horse during Trooping the Colour[INSIGHT]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

She said: “I think Noble has been a little bit spicy, and certainly, at one point, if I was the King, I would have asked for a quick swap.”

The Major added that horses often complicate the parade, whether in the hands of the monarch or participating soldiers.

The animals add another tricky angle to an already complex occasion, she said.

The Major said: “When you’ve got a horse to sit on and control, that’s just another complication, so I think he’s done exceptionally well today.”

Trooping the Colour is a grand royal spectacle marked by a parade of hundreds of soldiers. Following the annual military parade, the King was joined on the Buckingham Palace balcony by various members of the Royal Family.

Express.co.uk looks at who made an appearance on the balcony – as well as who was notably absent.

The King was followed by Anne, the Princess Royal, who was on horseback behind him, as well as the Prince of Wales and Prince Edward.

Major Fraser said she would have asked to switch with the Princess’ horse, who was calm during the parade.

Regardless, the consensus was that the King performed admirably while riding, especially given he was the first monarch to do so during Trooping the Colour in decades.

The last time a monarch rode a horse for the occasion was the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1986.

Source: Read Full Article