Princess Anne Battles Unruly Horse During Trooping the Colour London, June 2, 2023 – Princess Anne faced a momentary challenge during the annual Trooping the Colour parade in London today. As the Princess Royal rode her horse, Bluebell, alongside her siblings, Prince Charles and Prince Edward, the horse grew restless, causing Anne to struggle to control it. The incident occurred as the parade made its way down The Mall. Bluebell, a chestnut mare, suddenly shied and attempted to bolt. Anne, known for her equestrian skills, held on tightly, but the horse continued to behave erratically. For several minutes, Anne grappled with Bluebell, trying to calm her down. The crowd watched anxiously as the Princess fought to keep her seat. Other members of the royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William, looked on with concern. Eventually, with the help of a mounted groom, Anne was able to bring Bluebell under control. The incident did not disrupt the parade, which continued as planned. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson later released a statement, saying: “The Princess Royal was shaken but uninjured. She thanks the mounted groom for his assistance.” Princess Anne has been a keen rider since childhood. She is president of the British Equestrian Federation and has competed in three Olympic Games. The 71-year-old royal is known for her strong and determined character, and today’s incident demonstrated her resilience and equestrian prowess.Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, faced a challenge while participating in the Trooping the Colour procession on Saturday. The 73-year-old royal rode a horse down The Mall during the King’s birthday parade but encountered difficulties with her unruly mount.Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, faced a challenge while participating in the Trooping the Colour procession on Saturday. The 73-year-old royal rode a horse down The Mall during the King’s birthday parade but encountered difficulties with her unruly mount. Anne was captured on video battling to control her horse as it started to lose pace and appeared agitated. Despite the horse’s behavior, Anne, an experienced and skilled horsewoman, managed to keep it under control without causing too much disruption to the rest of the parade. As Colonel of the Blues and Royals, Anne donned her full military regalia, including a bicorn hat, jodhpurs, and riding boots. She also wore the Collars of the Order of the Garter and Sash of the Order of the Thistle. Anne is the only female member of the royal family to wear a military uniform during the Trooping the Colour procession. Royals with military and naval connections have worn military dress on state occasions since the 19th century. Anne is a patron of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and Commodore-in-Chief for Portsmouth. Although she hasn’t served in the military like her brothers, King Charles III and Prince Andrew, Anne is an honorary Rear Admiral. She carries out numerous engagements with her military patronages and affiliations throughout the year and is often ranked as one of the hardest-working royals. Meanwhile, the King and Queen led members of the royal family in the procession down to Horse Guards Parade from Buckingham Palace, with the King’s Colour being trooped by Number 9 Company, Irish Guards, during the ceremony. The impressive display of pageantry featured over 1,400 officers and soldiers, along with 200 horses. Over 400 musicians from ten bands and Corps of Drums marched and played in unison. After the ceremony, Charles will lead the royals and soldiers back to Buckingham Palace. As the troops return to their barracks, the King and Queen, along with members of the royal family, will gather on the palace balcony to watch the finale—a spectacular flypast from the Royal Air Force.During the annual Trooping the Color ceremony, Princess Anne faced a challenging moment as she attempted to control her horse, Sir John. The event, which marks the Queen’s official birthday, saw the princess struggling to rein in the spirited horse, leading to a tense situation. As the parade commenced, Sir John exhibited signs of restlessness, and Princess Anne’s efforts to calm him proved initially ineffective. The horse lunged and reared, nearly unseating the princess. Despite the horse’s unpredictable behavior, Princess Anne remained composed and determined. With the assistance of a nearby equerry, she eventually regained control, much to the relief of the watching crowd. The incident highlighted the challenges that can arise when dealing with high-spirited horses, particularly in high-pressure situations. Princess Anne’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of training, patience, and a strong bond between rider and horse. Despite the brief setback, the parade continued as scheduled, with Princess Anne completing the route alongside her fellow members of the royal family. The event was a testament to her equestrian skills and her unwavering commitment to the longstanding tradition of Trooping the Color.