The Queen & The Prince of Wales visit The Household Cavalry in Hyde Park

Today The Queen and The Prince of Wales visited The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment at Hyde Park Barracks.

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment consists of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals; the oldest and most senior regiments in the British Army. The Regiment is often seen at State Ceremonial and Public Duties and is the mounted escort to The Queen. 

When The Queen and The Prince of Wales arrived, they were first introduced to the regiment's new drummer horse, which The Queen officially named Perseus. 

Then The Queen was escorted to the stables were she met some of the Troopers and their horses. The Queen first met a horse named Joanie, which was given by The Queen to the regiment last summer. The four year old is currently the youngest in the regiment. 

The Prince of Wales meanwhile spoke to members of the regiment in The Tack Room to learn how they prepare for big occasions such as The Spanish State Visit, where the regiment was required to lead the procession from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace.

The Queen also learned about the innovative equine care being carried out at the The Household Cavalry. 'Inside Out Horse' Founder Gillian Higgins works with the Troopers to help educate them on the anatomy of their horse. Gillian explained her unique approach to The Queen, where she paints a skeleton on their coat.

Later, The Prince joined Her Majesty upstairs in the stables before heading back to the courtyard to sit for an official photograph to mark the visit.

The Queen and The Prince of Wales also met family members at the end of the visit to the barracks.