Lady Louise Windsor to Inherit Prince Philip’s Beloved Ponies and Carriage

Lady Louise Windsor, the 17-year-old granddaughter of Prince Philip, will carry on a unique legacy left behind by the late Duke – his cherished ponies and carriage.

During Saturday's funeral procession at Windsor Castle, the Duke's polished dark green four-wheeled carriage and two black ponies, Balmoral Nevis and Knotlaw Storm, were stationed outside, creating an emotional moment.

The carriage held the Duke's cap, whip, and brown gloves, along with a red pot filled with sugar lumps for the ponies.

This vehicle, made of aluminium and steel, was custom-built to royal specifications eight years ago and can accommodate four people and harness up to eight horses.

According to Mail Online, after Prince Philip's passing, the carriage and ponies will be passed on to Lady Louise, the elder child of the Earl and Countess of Wessex, who shares her grandfather's passion for carriage driving.

Sources close to the royal family revealed that Lady Louise will regularly exercise the two black ponies at Windsor.

The Duke himself took up carriage driving in 1971, transitioning from polo due to an arthritic wrist.

He is credited with introducing the sport to the UK and represented Britain in numerous international championships.

Prince Philip continued to drive competitively until 2003, retiring from the sport in his early 80s.

However, he remained active, driving a team of fell ponies around the royal estates and judging carriage driving competitions.

In his book about the sport, he expressed his enduring pleasure in driving a team through the British countryside.

It was he who passed on this passion to his granddaughter, Lady Louise, as well as her mother, the Countess of Wessex.

Lady Louise showcased her talent in carriage driving when she participated in a competition at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2019, securing third place.

On the morning of Prince Philip's passing, Lady Louise was spotted in his carriage in Windsor Great Park, paying tribute by putting the ponies through their paces.

During a Sunday service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, the Earl and Countess of Wessex shared amusing anecdotes about Philip's carriage driving adventures around the Windsor estate.

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, mentioned how the Duke had been pulled out of a few ditches, to which Edward, the Earl of Wessex, jokingly added that he used to face some challenges in the early days and even more recently.

At Prince Philip's emotional funeral at St George's Chapel in Windsor, Lady Louise and her 13-year-old brother, James, were the youngest among the 30 guests.

Lady Louise paid tribute to her late grandfather by wearing an all-black outfit, just like the rest of her family.

However, she added a distinctive touch with an equestrian brooch, symbolizing her shared passion for horse riding, particularly carriage driving, with Prince Philip.

As Lady Louise Windsor inherits her grandfather's beloved ponies and carriage, she continues the legacy of their shared love for carriage driving.

With her talent and dedication, she is poised to carry on Prince Philip's passion for the sport and make her own mark in the world of carriage driving.