During today’s practice for the Queen’s annual birthday procession, Trooping the Colour, military veterans alleged that Prince William’s horse appeared ‘drugged.’
The Duke of Cambridge, 39, rode a black Household Division charger named George through the Colonel’s Review, a practice inspection held in central London.
‘William’s horse seems drugged,’ one unnamed source told MailOnline. Its head is resting on the ground. It’s a travesty.’
A spokeswoman for Clarence House declined to comment.
William sat on the charger, which was likewise decked out in ceremonial splendor, in his red and blue military outfit studded with medals, which he paired with the traditional bearskin headgear.
The horses of the Household Cavalry that take part in such parades need particular training to desensitize them to noise and traffic. They must also be able to stand motionless for lengthy periods of time and acquire acclimated to the weight of additional equipment.
Her Majesty usually attends and takes the salute on the Queen’s birthday, June 2, when her Household Division troops march and ride on Horse Guards Parade.
However, as colonels of the Welsh Guards, Irish Guards, and Blues and Royals, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, and the Princess Royal will ride in the parade this year.
Only William was present at today’s run-through, which, unlike last week, went off without a hitch.