Just like Gan-Gan! Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis follow in the Queen’s footsteps as they ‘learn to ride their first ponies ahead of summer with their great-grandmother’
- Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have been riding ponies
- Cambridge children have been perfecting their skills at their home in Norfolk
- Queen, 94, was given a Shetland pony called Peggy for her fourth birthday
It appears the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge‘s three children have taken inspiration from their great-grandmother the Queen after spending much of lockdown perfecting their riding skills on their first ponies.
Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, who is three next month, have been following in Her Majesty’s footsteps and have become avid riders, according to The Times.
The trio, who have polished their abilities on their own ponies while spending time at Anmer Hall, their country home in Norfolk, will make great companions for the Queen, 94, who has been riding horses since she was just four-years-old.
They are expected to spend time with the monarch, who they affectionately call ‘Gan Gan’, at Windsor and Balmoral this summer, when lockdown eases. She is reportedly taking a close interest in her great-grandchildren’s progress in the saddle.
Charlotte, five, Louis, two and George, seven, (pictured) have reportedly become avid pony riders during lockdown
The Cambridge children could become riding partners for the Queen, 94, (pictured) who has been riding since 1930
Prince William was given a Shetland pony at age four and is said to be ‘thrilled’ that his children are embracing the hobby. Pictured: Prince William with the late Diana at Highgrove
It is believed the monarch has taken special interest in the progress of her great-grandchildren and their parents are also ‘keen’ for them to learn to ride and help with grooming the ponies.
George looked comfortable in the saddle during the Cambridge’s tour of Canada in 2016 and it was reported he had been having riding lessons on a Shetland pony belonging to Prince William’s cousin Zara Tindall.
This evoked memories of Prince William learning to ride as a child, after being given a Shetland called Smokey when he was aged four.
Princess Charlotte, who had a unicorn charm on her school bag on her first day at Thomas’s school in southwest London, started having lessons at just 17 months old, with Kate telling equestrian triple-gold medallist Natasha Baker that she could pursue the interest all the way to the Olympics.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are said to be keen for their son to continue learning how to ride. Pictured: Prince George riding in Canada in 2016
Prince Charles with the Princess of Wales and sons Prince Harry and Prince William at Balmoral in August 1988
Baker previously said: ‘I asked her how the children were, and she said Charlotte is really enjoying her riding which is great to hear, and I said we may see her here on a line-up in 20 years time.
‘She emphasised that Charlotte has this passion about horses and although she doesn’t echo it, she’ll do her best to champion and encourage it.’
The children’s increased interest in riding ponies in recent months may have helped them to cope with the loss of their cocker spaniel Lupo who died in November.
Prince William is said to be ‘thrilled’ that his children are embracing the hobby, after he was taught how to ride as a child by the Prince of Wales and the late Diana at Highgrove.
Prince William’s cousin Zara Tindall (pictured at the 2012 Olympics) reportedly loaned the family a Shetland pony for George’s lessons
This follows the Royal tradition that saw the Queen gifted a Shetland pony called Peggy for her fourth birthday as well as the Princess Royal and her daughter Zara Tindall winning equestrian medals for their riding skills.
In 2012, Zara became the first royal to win an Olympic medal when she won silver in a competition held in London.
The Duchess of Cornwall also shares the family’s love of horses and has been president of the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton since 2009.
The Queen has been spotted riding horses around the grounds of Windsor castle in recent months.