Queen Elizabeth showed her true colours in unearthed moment just days before her death
One of the late Queen's most trusted aides has spoken about their final encounter and how she kept in incredible high spirits during her final days.
One of the late Queen's most trusted aides has spoken about their final encounter and how she remained in high spirits, even in her last few days.
Tony Pendry, Queen Elizabeth's long standing stud groom, was speaking in an interview with the new Rosebud With Gyles Brandreth podcast, which is out today.
He reminisced about the last ride they took together after 28 years of friendship, and let listeners in on her admonishing him after he’d mentioned both her and her ponies' age during their final ride.
In a moving account Mr Pendry tells that podcast that, in her last few days, the late monarch was so frail and tiny that he needed to help her off her mount, despite her being able to climb into the saddle herself.
And, as opposed to riding alongside the monarch, as he usually would, the Queen asked if he could just walk next to her. Something the Queen remarked had not happened “since she was a princess.”
Mr Pendry rode with the Queen for 28 years and was thought to be one of her most trusted and beloved servants.
He asked to take a picture of her during the ride with her pony Emma, the Queen asked “what do you want to do that for?” He said "Well, you'd like one for your scrapbook. Your pony's 26, you're 96, that has to be a record".'
The next day, when visiting Emma for the final time, the Queen teased: "You were very rude to me yesterday."
He says he replied: "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?"
To which she replied: "You said my age" - prompting her to burst into fits of laughter.
The late Queen showed off her true colours in this moment, as she was fondly remembered by many for her incredible sense of humour, as well as her intelligence and wit.
“That was just her," Mr Pendry added as he recalled the moment fondly.
Mr Pendry also told the podcast how he would sneak the Queen's beloved Emma into Gardens, adjoining Windsor Castle, for her to ride in her later years, ensuring that she could still do one of the activities she loved and get fresh air and exercise.
The two were very close due to their shared love of everything equine.
Mr Pendry added: "Over the years we became very good friends."
