A soldier was thrown from their horse and died just moments after performing at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in front of King Charles.
The individual, who was in the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, is understood to have been fatally injured following an incident on Friday evening, Thames Valley Police said.
They are said to have fallen from their horse at around 7pm, having just exited the arena following the performance.
The soldier was given immediate treatment, but sustained serious injuries and died at the scene.
Police said next of kin had been informed and are being supported. The death is being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious.
The Royal Windsor Horse Show is continuing as planned, with the omission of The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery display.
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.’
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 pictured enjoying the festivities at the royal horse show on Friday.
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King Charles arrived at the Roal Horse Show on Saturday
Charles went on a royal walkabout minutes after arriving at the Royal Windsor Horse Show
She was also seen laughing alongside her daughter in a rare appearance from the young royal.
Present, but working away behind the scenes at her part-time job, was Lady Louise Windsor, 22 – King Charles‘ niece.
According to Nick Brooks-Ward, director of the event, the down-to-earth royal is operating a ‘first concierge service’.
He told Vanity Fair: ‘Lady Louise is one of the chief organizers, essentially operating a first concierge service.
‘She’s a great worker and a real asset to the team with no airs or graces. It’s a proper paid job and there’s no special treatment because of who she is.’
In addition to helping out behind-the-scenes, Lady Louise will also compete in the carriage driving event later this week.
The royal was taught to carriage drive as a young girl by her grandfather, the late Prince
Philip, and the pair are said to have bonded over a shared love of the sport.
Lady Louise now frequently partakes in equestrian competitions and has driven her beloved grandfather’s ponies as a way to keep his memory alive.
The monarch was seen shaking hands with young riders from the Pony Club
King Charles took time to speak to the youngsters after arriving for the show’s third day
She will participate in the Meet of the British Driving Society tomorrow, with Edward and Sophie expected to attend in their role as president and vice-president of the show.
On Friday, she appeared beaming in photographs as she strolled through the showground after wrapping up her English degree at the University of St Andrews.
Wearing practical tall brown boots and a long checkered skirt, the young royal looked very professional with her official blue badge bearing her full name, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor.
Louise is not a working royal, so the four-day event is a rare opportunity for her to be seen in public after she has been absent from recent royal family events, including the Easter service.
Royal expert and author Christopher Wilson recently described the young royal as a ‘dark-horse contender’ in King Charles’s ‘slimmed down’ monarchy following the scandal surrounding his younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Princess Anne was also at the race, where she was seen in conversation with jockey Katie Jerram Hunnable following her triumph aboard First Receiver in the RoR Tattersalls Thoroughbred Ridden Show series qualifier for flat horses.
Prince Edward was seen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, where he was spotted viewing an impressive piece of royal motoring history.
The Duke of Edinburgh was photographed examining a 1966 Land Rover Series IIa, a vehicle that holds particular significance as it was once used by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The classic Land Rover, now over six decades old, serves as a reminder of the late monarch’s well-documented fondness for the British-made vehicles, which she famously drove around her country estates throughout her reign.
Elsewhere, the King and Queen Camilla were left celebrating a treble victory at the races on Friday after three of their horses romped home as winners.
The feat was achieved at two races at York and one at Newbury on Friday.
Portcullis won the Darley EBF ‘Confined’ Novice Stakes at York. The horse was ridden by William Buick and trained by John and Thady Gosden.
Warrant Holder carried the King and Queen’s colours to victory in the Support Macmillan Charity Raceday On 13 June Handicap at York.
The other winner in the treble was Point Of Law, who came first in the Coolmore City Of Troy EBF Maiden Stakes at Newbury.
Sophie, 61, who serves as vice president of the annual show, was spotted taking in the atmosphere on Friday
The Duchess of Edinburgh and her daughter Lady Louise Windsor proved to be a stylish duo as they attended the second day of the Royal Windsor Horse show on Friday
The Royal Windsor Horse Show is a popular event among royals, and was said to be the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite event on the royal calendar.
The late Queen, who died on September 8, 2022, made her final visit to the horse show just months before her death.
The beloved monarch would wander among the stalls wearing a headscarf and often entered homebred horses and ponies in classes at the show.
It first took place in May 1943 under the name the Windsor Horse and Dog Show.
The Royal Windsor Horse Show is the only time of year the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public.
The event’s official website states: ‘A week of top-level international equestrian competition across the FEI disciplines of Show Jumping, Driving, and Endurance reaches its pinnacle on the Sunday with the Rolex Grand Prix.
‘Elsewhere, the Show delights visitors with four arenas of prestigious Showing classes, thrilling international equestrian and military displays and a huge country lifestyle shopping village, making for the perfect family day out this Spring.’
