Former royal gardener Jack Stooks recently posted rare footage that captures Queen Elizabeth in a private moment at Buckingham Palace. The clip shows the late monarch practicing side-saddle riding on her horse Burmese when her corgis suddenly appear and create a lively distraction. Stooks, who worked for two decades under King Charles, shared the video on social media to highlight a lighter side of palace life. ([1])
The Gardener Behind the Camera
Stooks served as a senior gardener at the royal residences and often observed the Queen during her daily routines. His post places the scene at the palace riding school before moving into the rose gardens. The footage reveals the Queen moving with practiced ease on Burmese, a horse she rode regularly in preparation for public events. Stooks noted the monarch’s consistent presence in these spaces, where gardens and stables overlapped in her schedule. The video begins indoors and then shifts outdoors, where a footman stands with several corgis. One dog breaks away and approaches the horse with excited barks. The Queen responds with visible amusement while maintaining control of Burmese. This brief interruption underscores how her animals remained part of everyday palace activity.
A Lifelong Bond With Horses
Queen Elizabeth rode side saddle during Trooping the Colour for many years, a tradition that required precise balance and focus. She practiced on Burmese ahead of the annual parade, wearing a silk head scarf, tweed blazer, breeches, and boots. The narrator in the clip describes the intense concentration needed from both rider and horse during these sessions. Burmese retired after the 1986 parade, and the Queen chose not to train a replacement for the event. From 1987 onward she traveled in a carriage instead. Her final public appearance at Trooping the Colour came during the 2022 Platinum Jubilee, when she watched from the palace balcony.
The Corgis Take Center Stage
The dogs, a constant presence in the Queen’s life, turn the formal riding practice into an impromptu family scene. One corgi runs directly toward Burmese, barking as the horse remains steady. The Queen laughs at the interruption, showing the relaxed side of her equestrian routine. Stooks described horses as more than a pastime for the monarch. He wrote that they represented a lifelong passion and a link to her childhood. The gardens of Buckingham Palace served as the backdrop for many such moments, blending her love of animals with the formal grounds she helped maintain.
Enduring Royal Traditions
The shared footage offers a glimpse into routines that combined duty with personal joy. Side-saddle riding connected the Queen to centuries of ceremonial practice while allowing her to enjoy the palace grounds. Stooks’s role as gardener gave him a front-row view of these private interludes. The clip has drawn attention for its warmth and authenticity. It reminds viewers that even the most structured royal schedules included space for beloved pets and familiar landscapes.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.