The Queen’s beloved animals mark sad anniversary of her death in new homes, including Her Majesty’s favourite fell pony Emma – who captured nation’s mood as she stood waiting loyally with head bowed for coffin to pass

• Emma, the Queen’s favourite horse, and groom Terry Pendry paid their respects – as Sarah Ferguson reported on welfare of the Queen’s corgis Muick and Sandy
• Read more: Forever in our hearts: Charles and Camilla greet well-wishers after private prayers at Crathie Kirk to mark a year since Queen Elizabeth died

As the nation marks a year since the Queen’s death on September 8th 2022, there can be few more poignant sights than that of her beloved horse Emma enjoying a stroll in the late summer sunshine at Windsor this morning.  

Queen Elizabeth’s lead groom Terry Pendry made his own tribute to the late monarch by leading out her favourite fell pony in the very grounds where the monarch would once have ridden her. 

A keen animal lover, the Queen doted throughout her life on horses and her pet corgis, of which she had many. When she died aged 96, her dogs Muick and Sandy were accompanied by two trusted aides as she was laid to rest. 

The corgis had been a gift to the Queen from Prince Andrew and his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie to help her cope with the death of Prince Philip in 2021. 

After her own death, the animals were returned to Prince Andrew, and today, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, posted a photo of herself with the Queen’s beloved pets, letting royal fans know they’re in good health.  

The late Queen Elizabeth’s lead groom Terry Pendry made his own tribute to the late monarch by leading out her favourite horse in the grounds where the monarch would once have ridden her

Corgis Muick and Sandy were left in the care of Sarah Ferguson following the Queen’s death, the former wife of Prince Andrew said today: ‘She entrusted me with the care of her corgis Sandy and Muick and I am delighted to say they are thriving’

She wrote: ‘As we mourn a year on, we also celebrate the wonderful times we shared with Her Late Majesty the Queen. 

‘She entrusted me with the care of her corgis Sandy and Muick and I am delighted to say they are thriving.’

At the late Queen’s committal ceremony last year, Prince Andrew was seen giving corgis Muick and Sandy a sympathetic pet.

It was later confirmed that Andrew, who stepped down from royal duties in 2022, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson would be looking after the pets at Royal Lodge, in Windsor, where they live together.

The glossy black pony was last ridden by the late monarch in July 2022 and looked in fine fettle today during a September stroll

A subdued looking Terry Pendry pats Emma’s back as he takes her out in Windsor’s grounds a year after the passing of the Queen

Prince Andrew, 63, pictured with the Queen’s Corgis as he arrived at Windsor Castle ahead of her committal ceremony following the late monarch’s death last year

The royal aides looking after the late Queen’s beloved Corgis were seen given them a sympathetic stroke as the Monarch’s committal service went underway 

Elsewhere at Windsor this morning, groom Mr Pendry looked contemplative as he lead glossy black horse Emma around the grounds. 

At the Queen’s funeral last year, in touching scenes beamed around the world, 25-year-old Emma was seen stepping out to greet the late monarch for the last time, as the royal hearse arrived in Windsor.

The groom was seen bowing his head as he held Emma, while the hearse carrying the Queen drove past. He had placed a head scarf on the saddle as Her Majesty rarely wore a riding hat.

The 73-year-old later told MailOnline, who has been head groom at Windsor for 29 years and regularly rode with the Queen, she had last ridden fell pony Emma in July 2022.

Into her nineties the Queen would still go riding on her beloved horse – without a helmet

Queen Elizabeth’s groom Terry Pendry took Her Majesty’s favourite horse Emma to pay their respects yesterday. He revealed the Queen went for a horse ride in July

Emma, the monarch’s fell pony, stands as the Ceremonial Procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Windsor Castle last year

Terry Pendry respectfully bowed his head as the Queen’s body arrived in Windsor for her Committal Service in September 2022, while Emma stood quietly by his side 

The Queen riding Emma during a trot around Windsor with Terry Pendry in happier times

Mr Pendry, who attended the service at St George’s Chapel, and who lives on the estate, said: ‘It was an honour and privilege to have Emma with me to say goodbye to Her Majesty for the last time. 

‘I’ve been riding with the Queen for years and the last time she was on Emma was back on July 18 – two days before she left for Balmoral.’

Mr Pendry, who was awarded the LVO and BEM for his services, added: ‘I’m just so glad that Emma and I were able to say our goodbye at Windsor where Her Majesty enjoyed riding her horses so much.’

The King and Queen today attended a special service at Crathie Kirk to commemorate the life of the late Queen – and appeared moved by warm-wishes from crowds who also gathered to mark the anniversary of her death.

Charles and Camilla made the short journey by car from the nearby Balmoral Estate to the Scottish church, where successive monarchs have worshiped since Queen Victoria.

The couple spoke to crowds outside afterwards who shared their condolences and handed them bouquets and cards. The King told them that the flowers were ‘wonderful’ and joked with children about getting back to school.

Other royals were also at the service, including the Queen’s great nephews Samuel and Arthur Chatto, sons of Lady Sarah and Daniel Chatto, who also went. And staff from Balmoral, the beloved Scottish home of the Queen where she died, also attended, walking to and from the service in the September sunshine.

King Charles III looked visibly moved after leaving a service to mark the first anniversary of his mother the Queen. Camilla clutches flowers handed to them by well wishers

The King looked emotional as he left Crathie Kirk having paid a moving tribute to his adored mother as the nation marks the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death today. Crowds gathered at Buckingham Palace and Army gun salutes honouring Her Majesty rang out across the United Kingdom.

In an unprecedented break with tradition, signifying how touched he has been by the country’s grief at her passing but also pride in a remarkable life of public duty, His Majesty recalled his mother’s ‘long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us’.

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