The King has expressed his “great shock and sadness” after a soldier died following a fall from a horse at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
The serviceman, who was part of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, suffered fatal injuries after falling from his horse shortly after a display on Friday evening.
According to Thames Valley Police, the rider fell at around 7pm as the horse was leaving the arena. Emergency treatment was provided immediately at the scene, but the soldier died shortly afterwards.
In a statement released through Buckingham Palace, the King said he was “greatly shocked and saddened” by the tragedy. The Palace added that the monarch would contact the soldier’s family privately to offer his personal condolences.
The death cast a sombre mood over Saturday’s events at Windsor, where the King was attending the show. Although the four-day event continued as planned, organisers confirmed that the scheduled performance by the King’s Troop had been withdrawn as a mark of respect.
Chief Superintendent Michael Loebenberg described the incident as a “sad death” and said officers were appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
“Our thoughts are with the soldier’s family and the wider community in the military and at the Royal Windsor Horse Show at this extremely difficult time,” he said.
Police said the death is currently being treated as “unexplained but non-suspicious”.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery is one of the British Army’s most recognisable ceremonial units, regularly taking part in royal salutes, state occasions and public displays involving mounted artillery.
The identity of the soldier has not yet been released publicly.
