As the funeral procession for Queen Elizabeth II neared Windsor Castle on Monday, Sept. 19, a few of Her Majesty’s most beloved furry friends awaited her arrival to say one final goodbye.
The royal corgis, Muick and Sandy, were spotted in the forecourt, being looked after by two members of staff, while the Queen’s favorite Fell pony, Emma, stood on the side of the road with a handler as the cortege made its way to St George’s Chapel for the Queen’s committal. The prized mare raised its hoof as the Queen’s coffin was driven past — an act that some on the internet are even calling a curtsy. Emma (whose full, government name is Carltonlima Emma) also carried with her one of the monarch’s headscarves on her saddle.
The animals in attendance represented arguably two of the greatest loves of the late Queen’s life: corgis and horses. Her lifelong love of corgis has been well-documented on the internet and in pop culture, and throughout her life, she reportedly raised more than 30 of them. In addition to Muick and Sandy, the Queen also cared for a cocker spaniel named Lissy, but the prize-winning pooch was nowhere to be seen on the castle grounds. It’s been confirmed that the Queen’s embattled son, Prince Andrew, will look after the corgis with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
As for Emma, the monarch’s favorite riding pony most recently participated in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, parading in the Windsor Horse Show’s televised performance, « A Gallop Through History. »
The Queen’s fondness of horses began when she received her first Shetland pony at age 4. She would continue riding well into her 90s — until she was 96, to be exact. She also thoroughly enjoyed Thoroughbred racing.
Say what you want about all of the pomp and circumstance and royal protocol surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral and the future of the British monarchy (and there is a lot to say), watching the late monarch’s pets honor their owner one last time was a genuinely touching, and perfectly fitting, tribute.
