Sunday 29 May 2022 05:49 PM Was Prince William's horse at Trooping the Colour suffering with an injury? trends now
An American animal rights organisation has said that Prince William's horse could have been lowering its head at the Trooping the Colour rehearsal because it was injured, after military veterans last night claimed that the horse looked 'drugged'.
The Duke of Cambridge, 39, rode a black Household Division charger, named George, as he went through the practice inspection - known as the Colonel's Review - in central London.
Elisa Allen, vice president for the charity PETA, said today that 'sometimes horses will lower their heads or move oddly when they’re sore or injured'.
It comes as an unnamed source told MailOnline: 'William's horse looks drugged. Its head is on the floor. It's a disgrace.'
Ms Allen said: 'Because horses, including those used for racing, are high-strung and easily frightened by noise and unexpected commotion, which can cause them to bolt, handlers have been known to administer sedatives to the animals ahead of public displays – a sure sign that they shouldn’t be exposed to large parades in the first place.
'We can’t know if this is the case here, as sometimes horses will lower their heads or move oddly when they’re sore or injured.
'But horses shouldn’t be put at risk. Just as the days of using horses for war are over, so, too, should be the days of placing these large, often skittish animals in situations that may spook them, thereby putting themselves, the rider, and the public at risk for injury.'
A Clarence House spokesman declined to comment.
For the event, William wore his red and blue military uniform adorned with medals, which he teamed with the traditional bearskin hat as he sat on the charger, also festooned in ceremonial regalia.
Horses of the Household Cavalry which feature in such parades undergo special training so that they are desensitised to noise and traffic. They also need to be comfortable standing still for long periods and become accustomed to the weight of extra kit.
Prince William rose early to take part in the rehearsal of the Queen's birthday parade in London on Saturday. A military veteran tonight claimed that the prince's horse appeared 'drugged' during the event. The unnamed source told MailOnline: 'William's horse looks drugged. Its head is on the floor. It's a disgrace'
The Duke of Cambridge, 39, rode a black Household Division charger, named George, as he went through the practice inspection known as the Colonel's Review in central London
William wore his red and blue military uniform adorned with medals, which he teamed with the traditional bearskin hat as he sat on the charger, also festooned in ceremonial regalia. Horses of the Household Cavalry which feature in such parades undergo special training so that they are desensitised to noise and traffic
The famous salute at the real Trooping the Colour is usually performed by the Queen but William has stepped in this year
Prince William salutes as he rides across the parade ground during the Colonel's Review at Horse Guards Parade
Prince William looked very serious at the rehearsal of the prestigious military birthday event in London for the Queen. Irish Guards wear a blue plume to the right of their bearskin
Soldiers are seen on parade during the Colonel's Review - the second rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour, which dates back to 1748
The Colonel's Review is identical to Trooping the Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade, which she will not be at
This year, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal will ride on the parade as colonels of the Welsh Guards, the Irish Guards and the Blues and Royals
Members of the Household Division parade during the Colonel's Review ahead of the Trooping of the Colour next week
The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry and the Queen's drum horses parade during the review yesterday
The Queen's birthday on June 2 sees her Household Division troops march and ride on Horse Guards Parade with Her Majesty usually attending and taking the salute.
But this year, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal will ride on the parade as colonels of the Welsh Guards, the Irish Guards and the Blues and Royals.
Only William was seen at the run-through yesterday, which went without a hitch - unlike last week.
Two people had to be rushed to a major trauma hospital and three others needed treatment from paramedics after a stand collapsed at the Trooping the Colour rehearsal on May 21.
The 'terrifying' incident took place in front of a crowd of 'shocked' onlookers who had gathered to watch the event in Horse Guard Parade, London, at around 11am.
Witnesses reported part of the stand collapsed, causing at least one person to fall through into the area below.
Part of the
