Queen Elizabeth II shocked Charlotte Dujardin with nine-word comment
Three-time Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin was left gobsmacked after receiving the ultimate compliment from Queen Elizabeth II.
Charlotte Dujardin admitted she "nearly fell off my chair" after receiving high praise from Queen Elizabeth II about her equestrian skills. The six-time dressage medallist has won three Olympic gold medals but won't be adding to her tally this month after she withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympics earlier this week.
The 39-year-old admitted to "making an error of judgement" that was caught on video during a coaching session four years ago and has since been placed under investigation by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).
Dujardin - who alongside cyclist Laura Kenny is Britain's joint most decorated female Olympian of all time - is an iconic figure in British sporting history and was appointed first an OBE in 2013 and then CBE in 2017 for services to equestrianism by the late Queen.
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Dujardin's first honour came during a private lunch and afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace following the London 2012 Olympics where the Enfield native claimed individual and team dressage gold. Opening up about the surreal experience, Dujardin said: "There were ten other people, including military people, all sorts of people but nobody I knew. I never really asked why I was invited, I think it was because of my achievements".
Somehow, the unreal encounter managed to trump itself after the Queen began speaking to her before paying her the ultimate compliment about her dressage talents. "I was speaking with a celebrity chef and the Queen came over and started talking to me and the others around me.
"And I actually got a compliment from the Queen. She said ‘You’ve never seen anyone ride like this young lady’. I literally nearly fell off my chair." Dujardin released a statement on her withdrawing from the Olympics where she owned up to her error, calling it "completely out of character".
Taking to Instagram, she wrote: "A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session. Understandably, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) is investigating and I have made the decision to withdraw from all competition – including the Paris Olympics – while this process takes place.
"What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse. I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment.I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors.
"I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete."
