The Duke of York is undergoing riding lessons ahead of Trooping the Colour where he will ride on horseback behind The Queen’s carriage for the first time.
Prince Andrew, who appears to be the only one of Her Majesty’s children who has not inherited a passion for horses, has finally taken to the saddle and was pictured with a riding instructor at Windsor Castle.
According to The Sunday Express, the lessons are in preparation for The Queen’s annual birthday parade in June.
For the first time, the 58-year-old Prince will ride alongside the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal behind The Queen’s carriage.
This is because he is now the Colonel of the Grenadier Guards following the Duke of Edinburgh’s retirement last year.
Prince Charles is currently Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Prince William is Colonel of the Irish Guards, and Princess Anne is Colonel of the Blues and Royals.
The Duke of Edinburgh had been Colonel of the Grenadier Guards since 1975.
The Grenadier Guards were formed by King Charles II in Flanders in 1656, and were known as His “Royal Regiment of Foot Guards.”
They have fought in almost every major campaign of the British Army and later became known as the First Regiment of Foot Guards, and now bear the title The First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards in honour of their defeat of the Grenadiers of the French Imperial Guard at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
The Grenadier Guards have become a symbol of Britain, and are often seen outside of Buckingham Palace wearing their famous bearskin hats which are worn in recognition of their victory at the Battle of Waterloo.
In total, the Grenadier Guards have 78 Battle Honours having served in many battles, including the Napoleonic, Crimean, Boer, First and Second World Wars.
Recently, they were one of the final units involved in ground combat in Afghanistan and continue to serve the country with distinction.
The Duke of Edinburgh retired from public duties earlier this year, and now only makes appearances at a few selected events.
