Four generations of the Royal Family turned out for the final day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show yesterday, while many had been seen at each day of the event.
The Queen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Castle on Thursday. Picture by Ben Stevens / i-Images
The Queen and Prince Philip, Peter and Autumn Phillips with their children Isla and Savannah, and Prince Edward and Sophie accompanied by Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn on Sunday, where Lady Louise debuted her carriage driving skills.
The final day of the show is the award presentation day, when The Queen and other Royals hand out medals from across the 4-day competition.
Nick Skelton and Big Star formally retire at Royal Windsor Horse Show #Horses #showjumping https://t.co/smKh9G6gLS pic.twitter.com/UjnYn0yFIg
— Susie Blackmon (@SusieBlackmon) May 14, 2017
The most memorable award was handed out by Her Majesty to Nick Skelton, the Olympic gold medalist who retired at the end of his final horse dressage event. The Queen was photographed smiling as she handed an award to Skelton in the presence of the King of Bahrain.
The Bahraini Monarch also spent the last few days at the show, and was seen enjoying Her Majesty and The Duke of York’s company.
Her Majesty also awarded Egyptian Abdel Said the trophy for the Best Turned out Trooper, the Land Rover Services Team jumping competition trophy to a trio of servicemen, and the show jumping and Royal Windsor endurance awards.
Her Majesty the Queen presents the prizes for the Best Turned Out Trooper, Showjumping & Royal Windsor Endurance at Royal Windsor Horse Show pic.twitter.com/TwoUztVYcY
— Maureen McLean (@MomoMcLean) May 14, 2017
The Duke of Edinburgh, meanwhile, presented the DAKS Challenge trophy to the winner of the Pony Club competition earlier on, but had been enjoying some carriage riding over the last few days.
This is the 72nd year that The Queen has attended the horse show, since it was first established as a wartime fundraising event in 1943. It is thought to be one of her favourite annual events, next to Royal Ascot. She and the Duke have taken part in various events over the years.
The Queen’s horse, Barber’s shop, won the Tattersalls and RoR thoroughbred on Thursday.
Prince Philip was seen smiling with pride as Lady Louise, his granddaughter, followed in his footsteps in the carriage driving contest. The 13-year-old led the Laurent Perrier trip through the castle grounds in a black one-horse carriage first used by Princess Elizabeth in 1943; The Countess of Wessex was seen proudly taking photos of her daughter on her phone. The Duke has competed in the Carriage Driving contest 30 times, but only won once in 1982.
The younger members enjoyed the inflatable slides and games, while Autumn Phillips even indulged in a palm reading.
A psychic reading and wall climbing all part of a fun day out for the Wessex and Phillips families at Royal Windsor Horse @windsorhorse pic.twitter.com/wUbBxn68oG
— Mark Stewart (@RegalEyes) May 13, 2017
