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Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show

It may have been a wet and dreary day but that didn’t stop the Queen from beaming during day one of the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Wednesday.

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The annual show, which this year runs until 12th May, is just a short distance from Windsor Castle where Her Majesty, 93, is currently residing.  Wearing a waterproof ensemble, the Queen enjoyed the sights of the Windsor Horse Show which is said to be one of her favourite equestrian events.

The five-day meeting is now in its 76th year.  Attracting visitors from around the world, the Queen is believed to have attended every single year since the event became a wartime fundraiser in 1943.

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The event has always been a family affair.  Both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh competed at the event during their younger years.  Prince Philip entered the carriage driving competition for 30 years.  However the Duke was only successful in 1982 when he won that particular race.  The Duke, 97, was not present for the start of this year’s event.

In more recent years, the Queen has watched many of her own horses take part.  Last year, the event fell exactly one week before the royal residence hosted the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.  Fast forward a year and things are a bit different. Her Majesty is now a great-grandmother once again, this time, to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s baby boy, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, whom she met yesterday for the first time.

Archie was born on Monday 6th May at 05:26 am.  He weighed 7lb 3oz at birth.  Archie is currently seventh in line to the throne.

About author

My name is Sydney Zatz and I am a University of Iowa graduate. I graduated with a degree in journalism and sports studies, and a minor in sport and recreation management. A highlight of my college career was getting the chance to study abroad in London and experiencing royal history firsthand. I have a passion for royals, royal history, and journalism, which led me to want to write for Royal Central.