Royals' love of horses revealed on TV

By Justine Thompson

Event diary

12 May 2009 11:32

Alan Titchmarsh is set to present a special ITV1 documentary from the gardens and grounds of Windsor Castle as the Queen’s residence hosts the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

In an hour-long programme ‘All the Queen’s Horses with Alan Titchmarsh’, Alan will offer viewers a unique insight into the Royal Family’s passion for horses, as well as a privileged view of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which takes place this weekend.

Each May the castle becomes the arena for the country’s largest equestrian event and the programme will capture not only the pomp and circumstance but the energy and enthusiasm of everyone involved from the grooms and hot dog sellers to the 3,000 competitors and members of the Royal Family.

All the Queen’s Horses with Alan Titchmarsh will be screened later in the summer, and will reveal how the Royal Family have competed in nearly every show for the past 66 years.

The Queen first experienced success here back in 1943 when, as Princess Elizabeth, along with her sister Princess Margaret, she won the Private Carriage Driving Competition.  

The Duke of Edinburgh will be very much involved in the 2009 show, including in an official capacity as a judge for the carriage driving competitions.

The documentary will bring together each element of this quintessential British event from the planning and competing to the socialising and the clear up, with Alan guiding viewers through the splendour and rubbing shoulders with the characters that make it tick.

He will meet soldiers from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, based at the Royal Mews for the duration of the event, and will host the last night’s performance of the Royal Military Tattoo in front of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip.

Alan Titchmarsh said: “I am hugely excited and incredibly honoured to be given this rare opportunity to show viewers what goes into staging one of this country's great events and what it means to everyone involved.  Particularly when it is held at such a magical place as Windsor Castle."

For show details visit www.rwhs.co.uk