Just weeks before her passing, Queen Elizabeth took one final ride on her cherished pony, Emma, aware that it would be their last meeting.
In a poignant revelation, her long-time stud groom, Terry Pendry, describes how the former monarch was so frail and diminutive that he had to assist her in dismounting, despite her courageous attempt to mount the pony on her own. Rather than riding alongside her as he typically did, the Queen requested that he walk beside her to ensure her safety and prevent any risk of falling.
Despite her frailty, Her Majesty retained every bit of her indomitable spirit, as Mr. Pendry notes. She playfully chided him for daring to mention her age during their final ride.
Mr. Pendry later captured this poignant and intimate moment in a photograph, which he brought to her at Windsor Castle. The Queen cherished the photo, placing it in her scrapbook with a handwritten note.
