Queen Elizabeth II's corgis and favorite pony played role in her state funeral

London — Queen Elizabeth's beloved corgis, along with one of her favorite ponies, were given roles in the late monarch's state funeral on Monday to say goodbye to their royal owner.

The queen's corgis await the cortège at Windsor Castle on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, September 19, 2022. Peter Nicholls/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Muick and Sandy, two young corgis, were wearing red and blue leashes when they were brought outside at Windsor Castle for the arrival of the queen's coffin at St. George's Chapel. They were being cared for by two royal pages in red frock coats.

Queen Elizabeth owned more than 30 corgis over her lifetime, after she was given her first corgi, Susan, for her 18th birthday. The queen got Muick and Sandy during Britain's coronavirus lockdown, and the puppies were reportedly a source of great joy for her. They are now going to live with her son, Prince Andrew.

The queen's corgis, Muick and Sandy, watch from a sidewalk at Windsor Castle on September 19, 2022, ahead of the Committal Service for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The queen also adored horses, and her pony, Emma, was brought out to the sideline of Windsor's Long Walk as the queen's coffin was taken in the state hearse to Windsor Castle.

Emma had been owned by the queen for 26 years, and she stood amid thousands of floral tributes left for the queen. She was in the care of the queen's stud groom and manager at Windsor Castle, Terry Pendry, who bowed as the coffin passed. Pendry once described Emma as "a wonderful servant to Her Majesty," and one of her favorite horses that she had ever had.

Emma, the monarch's fell pony, stands as the Ceremonial Procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service at St George's Chapel, September 19, 2022. Andrew Matthews/AP
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.