Queen's head groom reveals touching detail behind tribute to Her Majesty

A royal staff member has revealed the Queen’s favourite pony wore the monarch’s scarf on her saddle as her coffin was brought to its final resting place.

Fell pony Emma, owned by Her Majesty for 26 years, was stood on the grass at the side of the Long Walk, in Windsor, on the approach to the castle on Monday.

The animal watched as the monarch's coffin was driven up to St George’s Chapel for her committal service and burial.

The Queen’s head groom Terry Pendry, standing with Emma, has now revealed the pony was wearing the Her Majesty's favourite white saddle, along with her scarf.

Watch: Queen's pony watches funeral procession march through Windsor Castle grounds

Pendry told the Daily Mail: “The Queen always rode with a white sheepskin saddle, it was her favourite, so I made sure Emma had that on as well.

“Then for the finishing touch I put Her Majesty's Hermes headscarf on the saddle. It was her favourite and had the horses and carriages printed on it.

“Less is more if you ask me. I could have put her riding crop and gloves, but I just thought the headscarf was the perfect touch.”

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Emma stood in a gap between the hundreds of thousands of floral tributes, in the care of the Queen’s trusted stud groom and manager at Windsor Castle, Pendry.

Pendry, in his bowler hat, black jacket and riding boots, bowed his head as the coffin passed.

Behind them were grooms from the Royal Mews at Windsor wearing black armbands in mourning.

The black pony’s ears twitched and she swished her tail, stomping on the ground twice with one of her front hooves as her owner’s coffin moved past in the state hearse with a military parade.

Pendry once described Emma as “a wonderful servant to Her Majesty” and one of her favourite ever horses.

The Queen was famed for her affection for her dogs and horses and her passion for horse racing and breeding thoroughbreds.

Her corgis Muick and Sandy were brought into the Windsor Castle quadrangle for the arrival of the Queen’s coffin.

The dogs were handled by two royal pages, in red frock coats, and the pair took time to stroke the animals as one lay with its head on the ground.

Read More: Queen's funeral: Why is the white staff broken over her coffin?

Her Majesty was laid to rest with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh during a private evening burial service in Windsor attended just by close family.

The royals are buried at the King George VI memorial chapel, an annex to the main St George’s Chapel.

Members of the public will be able to visit the Queen’s final resting place when Windsor Castle reopens.

It has been shut since Her Majesty died on 8 September and is still closed for a period of royal mourning.