Giddy up! Prince Edward dons a virtual reality headset as he jumps on a model steed at the Royal Windsor Horse show
- Prince Edward was all smiles as he enjoyed the Royal Windsor Horse Show today
- READ MORE: The prestigious Royal Windsor Horse Show starts today
Prince Edward was all smiles as he attended the hand-over of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Defender 130 to the British Red Cross – so it could enter active service – at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 59, enjoyed the festivities of the highly-anticipated royal event, as he observed the car model so beloved by his mother enter its future work in North Wales.
The Duke even enjoyed a ride on a model horse – at one point wearing what appeared to be a VR headset as he rocked about on the riding simulator.
Edward shook hands with attendees as the car was handed over at the event, which his late mother regularly attended.
Prince Edward was all smiles as he attended the hand-over of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Defender 130 to the British Red Cross and enjoyed the horse show
Running from May 11 to 14, the show has been one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the royal calendar, not just because of the quality of the entertainment but because of its close connection with the late Queen.
It was 1943 when a 23-year-old Princess Elizabeth attended the very first show, which had been staged in Windsor Home Park to raise funs for the war effort, in the company of her parents and her sister, Margaret.
She took first place in the Pony and Dogcart class – and returned for every show since.
Her son was seen laughing up a storm with other attendees today, and enjoying a drink at the event.
The Defender 130 – which Jaguar Land Rover commissioned especially to celebrate the late monarch’s 70 years of service – will aid British Red Cross, of which Her Majesty was a patron, to aid people in difficult to reach areas, such as the Snowdonia mountain range, Lleyn Peninsula and Isle of Anglesey.
It will be on display for the duration of the show.
According to a press release on the brand’s website, the vehicle has been fitted with all the latest gadgets to make it optimal for support work.
This includes ‘an enhanced 4G-connected antenna to provide a strong signal whatever the location, a built-in phone, a VHF radio for communications and an upgraded telematics system with GPS tracking’.
What’s more, a solar power system on the roof can charge an auxillary battery when the engine is not running.
Prince Edward tried his hand at a virtual reality horse racing experience as he attended the first day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show
The Prince enjoyed sampling at VR headset as he attended day one of the Royal Windsor Horse Show
The Duke even enjoyed a ride on a model horse – at one point wearing what appeared to be a VR headset as he rocked about
The Duke of Edinburgh, 59, enjoyed the festivities of the highly anticipated royal event, as he observed the car model so beloved by his mother enter its future work in North Wales
The vehicle – which Jaguar Land Rover commissioned especially to celebrate the late monarch’s 70 years of service – will aid British Red Cross
Prince Edward was seen laughing up a storm with other attendees, and enjoying a drink at the event
The car has also been adjusted to make it more spacious inside.
The late Queen Elizabeth II was known to enjoy driving in the now iconic model.
In 1951 the then Princess was photographed standing in an open-top Land Rover as she deputised for her father to present the King’s Colour to the Royal Air Force at a parade in London’s Hyde Park.
In the following years she used Land Rovers during several public engagements, such as during visits to Australia in 1954 and the Channel Islands in 1957.
The Queen stood in a Land Rover at the 1955 European Horse Trials in Windsor Great Park to give her a better view of the action.
The vehicle has also proved a hit with other royals including King Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, who waved to well-wishers as they were driven along a beach in Australia in 1988.
Running from May 11 to 14, the show has been one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the royal calendar
According to a press release on the brand’s website, the Defender 130 has been fitted with all the latest gadgets to make it optimal for support work. Edward pictured during the handover
Edward was all smiles as he took in the incredible vehicle in front of him and enjoyed the sunny weather at the event today
The car has also been adjusted to make it more spacious inside. The late Queen Elizabeth II was known to enjoy driving in the now iconic model
A decade later, Prince Harry was photographed wearing military camouflage as he arrived at Highgrove House, Gloucestershire, in a Land Rover for his father’s 50th birthday party.
It’s been a busy week for the Duke of Edinburgh, who was on Saturday present at his brother’s Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
And earlier this week, Buckingham Palace released official portraits unveiling King Charles III resplendent in his royal regalia to round off the monarch’s extraordinary festive weekend.
The King and Queen pledged to rededicate their lives to service as Charles called the nation’s support throughout the historic celebrations ‘the greatest possible Coronation gift’.
As the weekend of festivities draw to a close, Charles issued a written message, saying: ‘We thank you, each and every one.’
Since 1951, the late Queen used Land Rovers during several public engagements, such as during visits to Australia in 1954 and the Channel Islands in 1957. Edward pictured observing the vehicle
Edward looked impressed at the incredible vehicle on display at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today
Edward shook hands with attendees as the car was handed over, and was also pictured enjoying the Royal Windsor Horse Show – which his late mother regularly attended
The special Bank Holiday weekend to mark the King’s Coronation was the first in 70 years, since the crowning of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Among the official portraits was one of the King was captured in his full regalia, wearing the Imperial State Crown, holding the Orb and Sceptre with Cross.
The official portraits show King Charles III and Queen Camilla in all their majesty in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace, and surrounded by their fellow ‘working royals’.
The King and Queen can be seen both separately and together, both the very picture of calm dignity despite the strain of the day.
In her sloop portrait, taken in the Green Drawing Room, Her Majesty is wearing the Queen Mary’s crown with her Robe of Estate, hand embroidered with the national emblems of the United Kingdom, as well as flora and fauna reflecting Their Majesties love of nature and flowers of personal significance to them.
It is now possible to see clearly the astonishing level of detail on her stunning Bruce Oldfield dress which includes embroidered depictions of her two Jack Russell Battersea Dogs and Cats Home rescue dogs, Beth and Bluebell, and the names of her children and grandchildren.
For the first time many of the senior royal women – the Princess of Wales, The Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Gloucester – were seen having removed their mantles to display their exquisite white gowns.
It means we can now also see for the first time the spectacular George VI Festoon Necklace worn by the Princess of Wales that was previously hidden under her cloak.
A great favourite of Queen Elizabeth’s, it was created in 1950 by her beloved father King George VI, using 105 loose collets that were among the Royal Family’s private collection of gems.
It was originally strung across three strands, suspended between two diamond triangles, by Garrard, the royal jewellers and given to the then Princess Elizabeth.
The Defender 130 will now be able to assist communities in more remote areas across North Wales
Edward was all smiles as he took in the incredible vehicle, which has been fitted with all the latest gadgets
Edward was in high spirits as he met guests to see the handover of the vehicle, on display at the Royal Windsor Horse Show
Edward shook hands and seemingly in a ceremonial gesture handed over the keys to the vehicle
Edward grinned at the handover, seeing the vehicle brand beloved by his mother enter active service
The Duke of Edinburgh smiled as he enjoyed the event and delighted in the Royal Windsor Horse Show
In 1953 she removed ten of the diamonds to shorten the length and was subsequently seen wearing it on dozens of occasions including state occasions.
Echoing the famous 1953 coronation portrait of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles is seated and wearing the Imperial State Crown.
In his right hand he hold the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross featuring the magnificent Cullinan I diamond and in his left The Sovereign’s Orb, representing that his power is derived from God.
The Imperial State Crown, the centrepiece of the crown jewels, is formed from an openwork gold frame, mounted with three very large stones, and set with 2868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 269 pearls.
The Orb, which weighs a staggering 1.3kg, usually sits in the Tower of London as part of the Coronation Regalia and has played a central part of the crowning of monarchs for hundreds of years.
Meanwhile, the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross dates back to 1661 and comprises a gold rod and huge drop-shaped diamond, Cullinan I, or the Star of Africa, which weighs 530.2 carats.
The King also is wearing his Robe of Estate, made of purple silk velvet and embroidered in gold that was first worn by his grandfather King George VI in 1937.
He has his collar of the Order of the Garter and the historic diamond-set ‘Lesser George’ suspended from it first worn by George III. St George’s helmet is defined in sapphires and his cloak and dragon with rubies.
On his purple Coronation Ede and Ravenscroft tunic he wears a 1893 Garter Star set with diamonds. The final part of his outfit are his Royal Naval Trousers.
His Majesty is seated on one of a pair of 1902 throne chairs that were made for the future King George V and Queen Mary for use at the Coronation of King Edward VII.
These throne chairs were also used in the background of the 1937 Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and by His Majesty The King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Hall to receive addresses from the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament last year.
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