Prince Philip’s granddaughter Lady Louise, 17, who shares the Duke’s love of driving, will inherit his carriage and ponies
- Sources say she will continue to train the two black ponies regularly
- In 2019, Prince Philip was proudly photographed competing in a competition
- The Duke started riding a carriage in 1971 when he was in his fifties
It was one of the most moving parts of the duke’s funeral.
His two beloved fallen ponies were seen pulling their late master’s carriage, on which lay his buoyancy hat, gloves, blanket – and even the worn red-topped plastic container in which he kept their sugar cubes.
Fortunately, Prince Philip’s ponies and polished dark-green carriage are passed on to a family member who shares his love for the sport of carriage riding – his 17-year-old granddaughter Lady Louise.
On the morning he died, the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex was seen in Windsor Great Park in his carriage, paying tribute by putting the ponies to the test.
On the morning he died, the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex was seen in Windsor Great Park in his carriage, paying tribute by putting the ponies to the test.
Sources say she will continue to train the two black ponies – Balmoral Nevis and Notlaw Storm – regularly in Windsor. In 2019, Prince Philip was photographed with pride as he watched his granddaughter participate in a carriage competition at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in which she finished third.
He had taught the sport to Lady Louise as well as her mother.
The Duke started riding in a carriage in 1971 when he was in his 50s and switched from polo because of a rheumatic pulse.
He was credited with shaping the sport in the UK and still competed in his eighties, representing Great Britain in three European championships and six world championships in total.
At the age of 91, the prince had the dark green carriage made from aluminum and steel according to his specifications.
He was seen riding in the carriage around Windsor and other royal estates in the following years.
Sources say she will continue to train the two black ponies – Balmoral Nevis and Notlaw Storm – regularly in Windsor
His felled ponies were both born in 2008 and Balmoral Nevis was bred by the Queen. The breed, which is native to Northern England, is used for riding and riding due to the large size, strength and agility of the ponies.
Fallen ponies, however, have been classified as endangered, partly due to a genetic disease.
Prince Philip had spoken of his love of speeding through the countryside, whip in hand, in his horse-drawn carriages. In a book he wrote about the sport, he said: ‘I’m getting old, my reactions are getting slower and my memory is unreliable, but I’ve never lost the sheer pleasure of riding a team through the British countryside.
At the age of 91, the prince had the dark green carriage made from aluminum and steel to his specifications
As President of the International Federation of Equestrian Sports, he began drafting the first international rules for carriage driving in 1968, sparking greater interest in the sport.
Philip began his training in five bays of the Royal Mews and was part of the victorious British team at the World Coach Riding Championships held in Windsor in 1980.
In tribute to the Duke, the Earl and Countess of Wessex remembered some of the scratches Philip had sustained while riding a carriage around the Windsor estate.
Sophie said that Philip “got out of some ditches here, I seem to remember.”
Edward laughed and said, “Yes, he used to have some problems.”
Sophie jokingly replied, “More recently, too.”