All The Queen’s Men with Alan Titchmarsh

By Rebecca Gibson

General news

23 July 2010 14:35

This Sunday don’t miss Alan Titchmarsh riding with The King’s Troop. The presenter who is usually more at home in the garden, will take to horseback for an ITV documentary called ’All The Queen’s Men with Alan Titchmarsh’. The programme will air at 7pm on the 25th July and follows on from ‘All The Queen’s Horses with Alan Titchmarsh’ that was filmed and broadcast in 2009.

Every year the Queen invites the public into her back garden at Windsor Castle as the Royal residence hosts the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo. Now in its third year, this military spectacular sees over 600 soldiers, sailors and airmen performing across four nights in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

In this new programme for ITV1, Alan gives a unique insight into the event. He goes behind the scenes to talk to members of the Royal Household, participants and organisers, and personally experiences how tough some of the military routines are. He catches up with some of the people he met during filming for last year’s programme and speaks to Prince Edward about the contribution the military make both this event and to our lives.

Alan is invited to join the King’s Troop during their rehearsals, and as he prepares to ride with them he admits to being: “Half tremendously excited and half terrified.” The teams of horses and First World War gun carriages need to use split second timing to avoid collision during the fast-moving routine. If the timing isn’t right, the gun carriages can crash forward into the horses and riders.

Sergeant Martin Dennis attempts to allay Alan’s fears, but listing serious injuries he himself received during previous rehearsals is perhaps not the best way. Undeterred, Alan mounts his horse, and despite a heart stopping moment where he nearly falls when his foot comes out of the stirrup, he completes the routine and is praised by the commanding officers.

When he leaves the troop, a clearly emotional Alan admits his response to being a part of the King’s Troop has taken him by surprise. “It’s actually incredibly emotional. I’m quite overwhelmed by it, I feel immensely proud.” As he wipes away a tear he says: “Oh Gosh, foolish boy.”