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Today the Master of the Horse is mainly a ceremonial office and
seldom is seen apart from on state occasions, and particularly when
the Sovereign is mounted. Such events as the State Opening of
Parliament and Trooping the Colour will see the Master of the Horse
in attendance.
The Crown Equerry has the day-to-day administration of the Royal
Mews, which affords transport for the Sovereign, either by cars or
horse-drawn carriage.
This position has been held since the 14th century and is
considered the third Great Officer of the Household after the Lord
Chamberlain and the Lord Steward.
Going back centuries ago, the Master of the Horse was once
responsible for provisions of horse for war and travel, of course,
is no longer the case.
The office of Master of the Horse was at one time politically
importance and influence to the monarch. The importance and
influence began to decline in the early 18th century. In the
19th century, the three offices (Lord Chamberlain, Lord Steward and
Master of the Horse) were considered political and switched during
changes in the government.
A restructuring took place in 1924 after the Royal Household
conducted a review. The three offices then became permanent
non-political appointments.
The current Master of the Horse is the Lord Vestey. Samuel George
Armstrong Vestey, 3rd Baron Vestey, became Master of the Horse in
1999. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian
Order (KCVO) in the 2009 Birthday Honours.
Photo credit: Kelly Taylor via photopin cc]]>
