Life after the Queen: How her favourite pony Emma is being cherished at Windsor

The late Queen was a horse owner from a very young age until her death, but one pony held a special place in her heart.

The animal-loving monarch had a passion for racehorses and owned an impressive 30 corgis throughout her life. However, in her final years, her favourite pony Emma became her constant companion, even making a special appearance at the State Funeral where the nation and the Royal Family bid their last goodbyes to the UK's longest-reigning monarch.

The late Queen often rode her Fell pony Emma around Windsor Great Park, owning her for approximately 15 years. Since the monarch's passing, Emma has continued to reside in the stables there.

A year after the heartbreaking loss of her owner, Emma was spotted taking a stroll around the grounds at Windsor on the first anniversary of the Queen's death. Stud groom Terry Pendry led the black pony around the same area she likely would have walked with Her Majesty during their rides, in a touching and poignant tribute.

This isn't the first time Emma has honoured her late owner. During the Queen's funeral procession last September, the world witnessed a tender moment as the pony was seen alongside floral tributes for the monarch, bowing her head as the Queen's hearse passed, flanked by soldiers from the Queen's Guard, reports the Mirror.

Pendry honoured the moment by draping the Queen's favourite Hermes headscarf, often worn during her riding sessions, over Emma's saddle. Donned in his traditional bowler hat, black jacket, and riding boots, Mr Pendry respectfully dipped his head as the Queen's coffin was carried by.

Emma responded to the sombre procession with a twitch of her ears and a swish of her tail, firmly planting her front hoof twice on the ground as the Queen's casket proceeded. Following closely behind the pony were the Royal Mews grooms at Windsor, their black armbands symbolising their grief.

Since that poignant moment, there has been much speculation about Emma's welfare post the Queen's passing. It comes as no surprise that she is receiving excellent care.

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The Royal Family shared an endearing photo of Emma on social media, detailing: "For the past fifteen years, Queen Elizabeth regularly rode Emma for light exercise in the grounds around Windsor Castle. Emma paid tribute to Her Majesty during the Ceremonial Procession in Windsor on Monday 19th September. She will continue to be much-loved and cared for at the Royal Mews, Windsor, and regularly exercised by its small, dedicated team."

Not merely a beloved companion for Her Majesty, Emma has showcased her talents in several pageants at the Royal Windsor Horse Show over time, marking significant milestones such as the Queen's 90th birthday and her Platinum Jubilee.

Known fully as Carltonlima Emma, she was the product of breeding at the Murthwaite Stud farm located in Cumbria, owned by Thomas Capstick, who met his death in 2015. Emma was merely eight years old when she first became riding partner to the Queen.

Terry Pendry once spoke of Emma's import to the Royal family, characterising the horse purchased by the Queen in 2004 as "a wonderful servant to Her Majesty" and among her favoured horses ever.

The late Queen's passion for horses dates back to when her grandfather, King George V, gifted her a Shetland Pony named Peggy, inspiring her lifelong love for horses. Apart from being a competent rider, she also owned and bred horses, clearly enjoying their presence during popular race meetings, such as the Derby at Epsom and Royal Ascot.

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