Queen Elizabeth's last moments revealed by groom who confirmed monarch's 'final' request
Her Majesty's stud groom Terry Pendry has given a moving insight into Queen Elizabeth's final days.
In the weeks before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's reign came to an end she carried out one of her favourite pastimes for the final time, a member of the royal household staff has revealed.
Erstwhile royal stud groom Terry Pendry has divulged the 96-year-old Monarch requested to ride her beloved pony Emma and despite her advanced years she climbed up into the saddle unaided.
Speaking in an interview with the new Rosebud With Gyles Brandreth podcast Mr Pendry explained the Queen was incredibly spritely for her age and only required a little assistance when it came to dismounting the horse.
She also requested he dutifully walked alongside her, just in case she started to fall, and even had the spirit to playfully joke with Mr Pendry as the pair met.
Mr Pendry, who worked for the Queen for 28 years, told the podcast on July 18, 2022, less than eight weeks before her death, the Queen came down to the stables at Windsor to see her horse Emma with a bag of carrots.
He said: "She came down for a chat and a final goodbye to Emma. Whether she was kind of thinking about things I don't know, but she looked at me and said, 'You were very rude to me yesterday'.
"I said, 'Your Majesty, I'm awfully sorry, but what do you mean, rude? If I was, I apologise profusely – it wouldn't have been intentional and I apologise. Was it something I said?'
"Yes', she said, 'it was'.
"I said, "Well, what was it?"
"She said, 'You said my age', and then she burst into fits of laughter. That was just her. Last time I ever saw her.
"I had an inkling that was probably the last time I was going to see her. When I used to lift her off her pony she was getting lighter and lighter and frailer and frailer."
Don't miss...
Charles warned against 'disaster' - expert explains Harry royal return problem [SPOTLIGHT ]
Harry's 'valuable lesson' with Meghan unveiled in two-word response [REVEAL ]
The Marriage of Figaro review – Magnificent Mozart opens Royal Opera Season [REPORT ]
Mr Pendry revealed during the Queen's final ride on Emma but that as he walked alongside her she made a mioving admission to him.
He added: "I was on my feet walking round with her, and she looked down to me and she said, 'This hasn't happened to me since I was a princess'. I said, 'What?' She said, 'Someone walking alongside me like this'.
"And I said, "If you want me to step away I'll step away, or I'll go and get another pony and I'll ride with you". She said, 'No, no, just walk with me'."
Mr Pendry revealed he recored the final moment with a photograph for the Queen's scrapbook commenting on how Her Majesty was 96 and her pony was 26.
