Queen Enjoys Day at Royal Windsor Horse Show and Hosts German Chancellor

The Queen was filled with excitement as she joined equestrian enthusiasts for another thrilling day at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

She couldn't help but chuckle as she watched the ponies in action.

This event holds a special place in the Royal Calendar and is a private affair for Her Majesty.

On a Thursday afternoon, the 95-year-old monarch drove herself in her Range Rover from Windsor Castle to the showground before playing host to the German Chancellor.

For this casual occasion, she opted for a navy padded gilet over a smart white shirt, paired with a grey check skirt.

With sheer joy on her face, the Queen delighted in watching the action unfold and embraced the atmosphere of one of her favorite equestrian events of the year, held in the private grounds of her home.

Photographers captured the Queen in the midst of a hearty laugh, a trait known by her close friends to be a common occurrence in private.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show, now in its 77th year, attracts visitors from all over the world, including many well-heeled attendees.

Last year, the show had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and took place online instead.

It was also postponed in 2001 due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak, and in May 2016, one day of the show was canceled due to flooding.

The Royal Family has a deep connection to the event, as both the Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh competed in their younger years.

Prince Philip, in particular, participated in carriage driving at the Royal Windsor Horse Show for 30 years, achieving victory once in 1982.

Later in the day, the Queen welcomed Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, to her residence at Windsor Castle.

This visit marked Merkel's final trip to the UK in her capacity as Chancellor, and it followed their previous meeting at the G7 summit in Cornwall last month.

As Merkel prepares to step down after almost 16 years in power, she is embarking on a series of farewell visits.

During a press conference with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Merkel shared her stance on travel between Britain and Europe.

She stated that those who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine should be able to holiday in Europe without facing quarantine in the near future.

Currently, all UK travelers are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in Germany, with no exceptions.

However, Merkel's announcement suggests that soon double-jabbed individuals will be able to travel freely without the need for quarantine.

Last month, Merkel urged all EU member states to adopt Germany's strict border rules.

Her recent comments, following discussions with Johnson, pave the way for quarantine-free travel across Europe, providing a significant boost for British holidaymakers.

After a group photo with world leaders, Merkel expressed her gratitude to the Queen for participating, saying, “Thank you for doing that for us.”

This meeting at Windsor Castle took place just days after England's victory over Germany in the Euro 2020 tournament, crushing their old rivals' dreams.

Prince Philip, the Queen's great-grandson, attended the match with his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at Wembley Stadium.

It was a historic moment as England defeated Germany in a tournament knockout game for the first time since their World Cup victory in 1966.