Lady Louise Windsor to Inherit Prince Philip’s Beloved Ponies and Carriage

Lady Louise Windsor, at the age of 17, is set to inherit a unique legacy left behind by her late grandfather, Prince Philip.

The Duke of Edinburgh bequeathed his cherished ponies and carriage to his granddaughter, ensuring that his passion for carriage driving lives on.

Among the items left to Lady Louise are the polished dark green four-wheeled carriage and two black ponies named Balmoral Nevis and Knotlaw Storm.

During Prince Philip's funeral on Saturday, a poignant moment unfolded as the carriage and ponies were stationed outside Windsor Castle, bearing witness to the solemn procession.

The carriage, adorned with the Duke's cap, whip, brown gloves, and a red pot of sugar lumps for the ponies, symbolized his enduring love for carriage driving.

This particular vehicle, crafted from aluminium and steel, was custom-built to royal specifications eight years ago, accommodating up to four passengers and eight horses.

Following Prince Philip's passing at the age of 99, the carriage and ponies will be entrusted to Lady Louise, the eldest child of the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Known for her shared enthusiasm for carriage driving, Lady Louise is expected to continue exercising the ponies at Windsor, according to sources close to the royal family cited by Mail Online.

The Duke's introduction to carriage driving in 1971 marked a significant shift from polo, attributed to an arthritic wrist, and he played a pivotal role in popularizing the sport in the UK.

Prince Philip's illustrious career in carriage driving saw him represent Britain in numerous international competitions, including three European Championships and six World Championships.

Noteworthy achievements include a World Championships victory at Windsor in 1980 and a bronze medal at the European Championships in Switzerland.

Despite retiring from competitive driving in 2003, the Duke remained actively involved in the sport, sharing his expertise with future generations.

In a touching tribute to her grandfather's legacy, Lady Louise participated in a carriage driving competition at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2019, where she demonstrated her skill and passion for the sport.

Reflecting on her daughter's natural talent, the Countess of Wessex commended Lady Louise's aptitude for carriage driving, emphasizing her seamless adaptation to the discipline.

On the morning of Prince Philip's passing, Lady Louise honored him by driving the ponies through Windsor Great Park in his carriage, embodying their shared love for carriage driving.

Recollections of Prince Philip's escapades in carriage driving were shared by the Earl and Countess of Wessex with mourners outside the chapel at the Royal Chapel of All Saints.

Fondly recalling instances where the Duke encountered challenges while driving around the Windsor estate, the couple humorously reminisced about his misadventures.

Despite the mishaps, Prince Philip's dedication to the sport and his role in passing down his expertise to Lady Louise and her mother remain enduring legacies.

At Prince Philip's emotional funeral at St George's Chapel in Windsor, Lady Louise, accompanied by her younger brother James, paid homage to her grandfather through her attire.

Clad in all black like her family members, Lady Louise sported an equestrian brooch, symbolizing her and Prince Philip's shared passion for horse riding and carriage driving.

As the next custodian of her grandfather's beloved ponies and carriage, Lady Louise Windsor is poised to carry on his legacy with grace and reverence.