Queen Elizabeth's Loyal Horse & 'Gentlest Giant' Tyrone Retires After 14 Years Of Royal Service

After 14 prominent years of royal duty, one of the most cherished members of the Royal Family’s stables has officially retired. Tyrone, a 19-year-old Irish draft horse affectionately remembered by many as Queen Elizabeth II's favourite Windsor Grey, has stepped down from his ceremonial role, marking the end of a regal chapter.

Regal life in service

Tyrone wasn't just any royal horse; he was a consistent and calming presence in some of the most significant royal moments of the past decade and a half. As a "wheeler", Tyrone was always placed closest to the carriages, on the rear right side, taking on the brunt of the weight and setting the tone for the procession’s pace and stability. This position required strength, discipline, and an unshakeable character, qualities Tyrone had in abundance.

His service began in 2012, pulling the carriage for Queen Elizabeth II to the State Opening of Parliament. Only weeks later, he carried both the Queen and Prince Philip during the Diamond Jubilee, setting the stage for many more high-profile duties.

Among his long list of appearances were the State Openings in 2013 and 2014, Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding in 2018, the historic Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2023, and the Princess of Wales’s return to public life at Trooping the Colour in 2024.

With his final assignment behind him, escorting the King and Queen once again, Tyrone has now been retired to the Horse Trust sanctuary in Buckinghamshire, as per the Sunday Times. There, he joins familiar faces: his father Storm and sister Meg, both of whom also served the royal household before enjoying their well-earned rest.