The family of an army rider who died after performing in front of King Charles have paid an emotional tribute to their daughter.
Ciara Sullivan, who was in the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, was fatally injured following an incident on Friday evening.
She fell from her horse at around 7pm, shortly after leaving the arena following the performance.
The 24-year-old was given immediate treatment but sustained serious injuries and tragically died at the scene.
Friends and family paid tribute to the ‘beautiful soul’ who ‘passed away doing what she loved’.
Her father shared a picture of Ciara on social media alongside a message, which read: ‘The honour. The service. They will never be forgotten.’
Thames Valley Police said the death is unexplained but non-suspicious.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King was ‘greatly shocked and saddened’ to learn of the death, adding that he ‘will be in touch with the family to share his personal condolences’.
They added: ‘While His Majesty and other Members of The Royal Family were present at the arena at the time the incident took place, they were not made aware of the severity of the situation until later.
‘The thoughts and most heartfelt sympathies of the whole Royal Family are with the victim’s loved ones and military colleagues at this time of grief.’
Ciara Sullivan, 24, who was in the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, was fatally injured following an incident on Friday evening
Ms Sullivan fell from her horse at around 7pm, shortly after leaving the arena following the performance
King Charles III was seen watching the troop perform at the popular show on Friday
Charles met members of the troop on Saturday morning alongside the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as he arrived for the third day of the event.
Ms Sullivan was a model soldier, once appearing on the podcast of official veterans’ charity, the Army Benevolent Fund, to discuss her army apprenticeship as an equine groom for the King’s Troop.
Members of the ceremonial unit are trained to ride and care for horses, fire salutes, take part in parades, pull gun carriages and assist the King’s Life Guard at Horse Guards in London.
In a tribute on social media, Eleanor Lucas Bell wrote: ‘Today our sport lost one of its very best.
The soldier who tragically lost her life at Royal Windsor Horse Show was someone known to us personally.
‘She had ridden my boys, and I saw first hand the incredible talent, horsemanship and dedication she possessed. She was the very pinnacle of equestrianism — someone I looked up to enormously as both a rider and a role model.
‘In truth, watching her do what she did with such skill, confidence and professionalism was part of what inspired me to consider joining myself. I was completely in awe of her.
‘To lose her life simply doing the job she did every single day is a heartbreaking reminder of just how dangerous and unforgiving equestrian sport can be. No matter the experience, talent or preparation, we work alongside powerful animals and accept risks every time we sit in the saddle. Those within the horse world understand that reality all too well, but moments like this bring it into painfully sharp focus.
‘In a strange twist of fate, we are at Windsor ourselves today. We will be taking a quiet moment to remember her and to think of all those who loved her — both her family by blood and her Military family.
‘Her loss will be felt deeply by so many, which says everything about the beautiful soul she was. Stand down Gunner.’
Her mother responded to the tribute, writing: ‘Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to write this. She was doing what she loved.’
Her friend Josephine Coates shared a tribute on social media. She wrote: ‘Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you until we meet again.
‘Goodbye my friend, rest easy.’
Police said next of kin had been informed and are being supported. The death is being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious.
Thames Valley Police chief superintendent Michael Loebenberg said: ‘We are appealing for anyone with information or material relating to the sad death of a military rider at Royal Windsor Horse Show yesterday to please get in touch.
‘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.
‘At this stage, we have not found any suspicious circumstances. We are working with the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Accident Investigation Branch and Royal Windsor Horse Show organisers HPower to gather as much information as possible to understand how this happened.’
Ciara’s father shared an image of her in a tribute on social media saying she will ‘never be forgotten’
A soldier in the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, died just moments after performing in front of King Charles at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Friday
An army spokesperson said: ‘It is with deep regret that we announce a member of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery died on Friday 15 May, following a tragic incident at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
‘The family has been notified, and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time.’
Jo Peck, HPower Event Director, said: ‘Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the soldier who sadly died yesterday.
‘The Royal Windsor Horse Show will continue today as per the published timetable, with the omission of The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery display.’
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting reference number 521.
The incident occurred just hours after the King and the Duchess of Edinburgh were seen in attendance at the royal horse show on Friday.
The Royal Windsor Horse Show is a popular occasion among royals, and was said to be the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite event on the royal calendar.
It was first staged in 1943 to help raise funds for the Second World War effort.
The inaugural show was attended by members of the Royal Family, including King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) and the two young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret.
The Royal Windsor Horse Show is the only time of year the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public.
