I can’t wait for the coronation this weekend.
It doesn’t matter whether you are pro or anti the monarchy, or something in between, it will
be one of the most spectacular public events of the last many decades.
There will be many horses involved, including the eight matched Windsor grey horses which
will pull their Majesties Gold State Coach as they return from Westminster Abbey to
Buckingham Palace.
These horses, and all those involved in the pageantry will have been specially trained. They
will not only be used to the task expected of them, but able to cope with the loud noises
and flashes of colour and flags that other equines might find frightening.
Our king’s father HRH Prince Philip was a keen enthusiast of driving horses as a sport. He
regularly competed at driving events with a team of four large bay horses.
But there is no driver for the Gold State Coach. It is managed by the four postillions, who
each ride one horse in each pair, assisted by walking grooms and footmen. Let’s hope that
the official vets on duty are not required in any capacity on the day.
The royalty of the pet world are the cats, of course.
There is no question that most felines consider themselves as reigning over all that they
survey. They maintain a staff of humans to see to their every need, but studiously ignore
them, except when some service is required, such as a chin rub or warm lap to occupy
instead of a cold throne.
I am thinking particularly of a cat called Miah, whose portrait I was trying to capture
recently.
A dog might have smiled for the camera, or at least pricked her ears at the sound of the
biscuit packet.
But Miah’s supercilious expression never changed. She looked my way, and saw nothing to
amuse her. She looked away again. In the end I had to admit that her face was not going to
express the love that I hoped she was feeling for me, after I saved her life. I will just have to
hope that deep down she has awarded me her seal of approval.
