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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Ellie Fry

Touching moment Queen's headscarf was draped on her favourite pony's saddle at funeral

The Queen's state funeral was full of personal tributes to the longest-reigning monarch, from choosing a hymn that was sung at her and Prince Philip's wedding to the heartfelt note left by her son King Charles on her coffin. The world couldn't have paid their respects to the late sovereign without nodding to her beloved animals, and people were in tears over the Queen's corgis making an appearance, as well as her favourite fell pony, Emma.

The Queen 's beloved pony was spotted with her last Stud Groom Terry Pendry, who held a royal staff position for the past 25 years.

Emma, the monarch's fell pony, stands as the Ceremonial Procession (PA)

You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here.

He stood solemnly alongside the black pony to watch the Queen's coffin drive by in Windsor, and paid one final touching tribute to the royal by gently draping one of the Queen's headscarves on Emma's saddle.

The headscarf gesture holds sentimental meaning, as Her Majesty would famously ride her horse without a riding helmet - instead opting for a beautiful head scarf.

The photographs of Emma the pony and her groom are striking, as her black coat contrasts the bright green grass and scattered floral tributes surrounding them.

Mr Pendry was seen bowing his head as the Queen's coffin travelled by hearse through Windsor one last time, as the world watched on in remembrance of the beloved monarch.

Emma the pony's saddle was draped with the Queen's headscarf (PA)

The 72-year-old regularly rode with the Queen as part of his role, and attended the service at St George's Chapel yesterday, where 800 guests gathered for an emotional ceremony.

Speaking to The Mail, Mr Pendry said that 24-year-old Emma did the Queen proud by watching on in Windsor yesterday.

He said: "It was an honour and privilege to have Emma with me to say goodbye to Her Majesty for the last time.

"The Queen adored Emma and rode her for more than 20 years so it was only right she should have been there, and she behaved impeccably.

"I think she probably had some sort of sixth sense that Her Majesty wouldn't be riding her anymore and she did her proud by standing there so respectfully."

Many royalists were left in tears after seeing Emma the pony's graceful send-off, as they spotted the symbolic detail of the headscarf draped over her saddle.

One person tweeted: "Didn't see the head scarf on Emma the Queen's pony.. I've gone again" while another replied "It broke me too".

Other well-wishers pointed out the pony's 'curtsey' as footage of the procession shows Emma gently lifting her hoof from the ground, a 'gesture' that left people feeling incredibly emotional.

You can now buy Friday's historic Daily Mirror commemorating the death of the Queen here: mirror.co.uk/commemorative

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