Latest news with #HouseholdCavalry
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The hottest royal you've never heard of' follows in the footsteps of Princes William and Harry with Sandhurst graduation - as his grandmother makes rare appearance at celebrations
The late Queen's cousin, Princess Alexandra, made a rare public appearance on Friday afternoon to celebrate her grandson graduating from his Royal Military course. The daughter of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, 88, opted for a vibrant ensemble for the occasion, which took place at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, Berkshire. She came together with family to support Alexander Ogilvy, 28, otherwise known as 'the hottest royal you never heard of', who was recently accepted into the Household Cavalry following his graduation. Alexandra put her best fashion foot forward and donned a colourful paisley blouse and emerald green skirt, which she paired with a baby pink scarf and a wide-brimmed tan hat. The royal opted for glamorous makeup, donning bright pink blusher and rosy lipstick while styling her grey tresses in an elegant updo. Princess Alexandra, who is Queen Elizabeth's cousin, was sitting alongside her son James Ogilvy, 61, her daughter-in-law, Julia Ogilvy, 60, and her granddaughter Flora Vesterberg, 30. Flora, who is married to Swedish financier Timothy Vesterberg, looked effortlessly stylish in a cobalt blue and white satin caped frock designed by Emilia Wickstead. She paired this with a blue Aspinal of London clutch bag, which was personalised with her gold initials 'FV', and a Jane Taylor hat. Flora wrote on her Instagram on Sunday evening: 'On our way to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to celebrate my wonderful brother! 'Congratulations @acogilvy on your graduation - and for your acceptance into the Household Cavalry. Very proud of our British Army Officer! #London.' Flora, who is an art historian and philanthropist, boasts almost 80,000 followers on Instagram, with many gushing over her stunning ensemble. One fan wrote: 'Many congratulations to your brother! I love your look!' Another penned: 'Congratulations to your brother. You look so beautiful.' A third commented: 'This blue look! Stunning on you!' The clan gathered for the Sovereign's Parade, which is a special event marking the end of an Officer Cadet's time at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. They are then commissioned into the British Army and overseas armies, with the occasion taking place three times a year. Each cadet graduates the 44-week course and is awarded at the parade, a closed-off event attended by family and friends. Alexander has followed in the footsteps of Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Edward, who have all graduated from the military academy. Flora's followers took to the comment section to share their thoughts about Flora's ensemble for the occasion He looked typically dapper in his military uniform as he proudly held his hat and showed off his medals in snaps with his parents, James and Julia, and his brother-in-law, Timothy. It was his sister Flora who initially revealed that he had started his training in a heartfelt post on Instagram last year. She posted: 'The @cartier Queen's Cup. Very proud of my brother @acogilvy beginning at RMA Sandhurst this weekend. We're full of admiration for you. Forever thoughtful and inspiring. Very good luck xx.' Alexander is the grandson of the late Queen's cousin, Princess Alexandra of Kent, making him 54th in line to the throne. Before deciding to join the military, he was based in New York where he worked for Prove, a technology firm. HIs graduation comes as Flora revealed she has been diagnosed with autism at the age of 30 in May. The royal, who is 62nd in line to the throne, opened up about the diagnosis in a deeply intimate essay published in British Vogue, calling it 'unexpectedly empowering'. She detailed her struggles battling 'the challenges of neurodiversity' during her formative years, and said the diagnosis has brought 'a sense of relief as well as validation'. An art historian and broadcaster, the royal ancestor mostly steers clear of publicity, but is sometimes spotted joining for events in the society circle calendar, including the Chelsea Flower Show, where she was pictured this year with Lady Amelia Windsor. Reflecting on her diagnosis during Autism Awareness Month, she hoped to 'contribute to a shift in statistics', referencing the figure stating that 80 per cent of autistic women remain undiagnosed by the age of 18. 'Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with autism. I've struggled quietly with the challenges of my neurodiversity since childhood, but am now also able to perceive its strengths,' she wrote. She told of having received her diagnosis from Dr Dimitrios Paschos, a consultant psychiatrist and Honorary Research Fellow at King's College London, ahead of beginning her PhD at The Courtauld Institute of Art. Undergoing multiple psychiatric evaluations over the course of a week earlier this year, Flora was left feeling both relieved and 'unsettled' by the final diagnosis. The royal, who works closely with heritage brands like Tiffany & Co. and Piaget, said it had also impacted the way she approached her job. She cited diagnostics for people with autism, notably women, who often 'camouflage' by mimicking 'social norms', habits she said she can relate to. Nevertheless, her symptoms don't prevent her from carrying out her work, explaining that she is able to 'speak eloquently at engagements'. Indeed, the diagnosis has helped her discover new ways to prepare to 'over-stimulating environments'. She said she hoped her opening up about the diagnosis would help contribute to changing the statistic, and that fewer autistic women would be 'hiding in plain sight'. Though not a senior royal, Flora is most definitely part of the elite family circle. For Trooping the Colour 2023, King Charles invited six members of the extended Royal Family to enjoy the flypast from a second balcony situated in the inner quadrangle of Buckingham Palace. One of these guests was Flora, who stood alongside her husband, Swedish financier Timothy Vesterberg, and Lady Gabriella Kingston.
Daily Record
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Alan Titchmarsh's expletive one-word response to 'terrifying' Royal experience
Alan Titchmarsh has shared his terrifying experience of training with the Royal military, saying it was the 'biggest rush' of his life - but left him unable to speak Veteran broadcaster and beloved gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has shared the pulse-racing moment he was invited to join a high-speed Royal military training exercise - an event that left him gasping for air, lost for words, and on the verge of swearing. In a frank discussion on the Talk Horse podcast, Alan reminisced about being asked to present two Royal-themed TV shows, All the Queen's Horses and All the Queen's Men. During the filming, he had the opportunity to ride alongside the Household Cavalry and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery - experiences he found both thrilling and daunting. Alan first mounted a horse called Waterford, which the Queen's groom Terry Pendry warned was particularly challenging. "Waterford? He's got five legs," Pendry quipped, hinting at the horse's unpredictable nature. Adding to the challenge, Alan had to ride in boots sans spurs, unlike his soldier counterparts, which he admits felt somewhat embarrassing. However, it was his stint with the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery that really put his mettle to the test, reports Gloucestershire Live. During a practice session near Wormwood Scrubs, Alan was unexpectedly asked to join one of the gun carriage teams. Despite initial hesitation, he accepted the challenge. Perched atop a horse named Mango - which he humorously suggested might reduce him to "chutney" - he assumed his role in the central pair, tasked with guiding a hefty gun carriage through intricate manoeuvres known as "the scissors," involving high-speed crisscrossing of horses and wheels. "It started off all right," he reminisced. "We were trotting, then into a canter, and then a gallop. I'm thinking - and I'm sorry about this - but you know that word we use that begins with 'sh' and ends with 't'." In a particularly tense moment, Titchmarsh lost his stirrups but, against the odds, remained mounted, flawlessly completing the routine. "We did the whole kit and caboodle, and I didn't come off," he remarked. "My heart must have been coming out here somewhere." The military veterans present were taken aback by his performance. "The outriding sergeant turned to Bombardier Floyd - I'll never forget her name - and they looked at each other and said, 'We don't normally go that fast.'" Alan's memorable day continued as he rode from Wormwood Scrubs to St John's Wood at a rising trot, forming part of an impressive six-horse procession that brought traffic to a standstill with its clinking harnesses and rumbling wheels. "It was the biggest thrill... certainly the biggest rush of my life," he confessed. "I got to the end, and I couldn't speak. It was just the most wonderful experience." However, the experience wasn't without its physical repercussions. "Then I had three months at the osteopath," he quipped, chuckling at the memory. Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh is set to make a comeback on Sunday, July 20, featuring guests Selina Scott, Pixie Lott, and Tom Parker-Bowles.
Epoch Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
‘Dashing to the End: The Ray Milland Story'
Film critic and historian Eric Monder traces Ray Milland's tumultuous life in 'Dashing to the End: The Ray Milland Story.' This first-ever biography about the Welsh-born actor shows how Milland's career evolved in a series of starts and stops, rising to an Oscar-winning crescendo before dipping into a long series of mostly forgettable work. Born Alfred Reginald John Truscott-Jones in 1907, he served with distinction in the Household Cavalry of the British Army before drifting into the London-based film industry in the late 1920s. A serendipitous casting in the first British talkie, 'The Flying Scotsman,' (1929) caught the attention of a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) talent scout who secured a Hollywood contract for the newly renamed Ray Milland.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- BBC News
Household Cavalry deployed to Hayling Island for beach training
These military horses have been deployed for their annual regimental training on the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment is usually based in London but travelled to Hayling Island, Hampshire, for equine training on time running on the beach and in the sea is a way for the horses to build confidence and prepare for state events like the recent Trooping the cavalry is a dual role regiment where soldiers transition between ceremonial duties and operational deployments. Riding on the sand allows the horses to practise complex moves safely, as if their riders fall they have a softer landing. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Telegraph
21-06-2025
- Telegraph
Household Cavalry corporal shamed after slapping female recruit's bottom
The 28-year military career of a member of the Household Cavalry came to a 'sadly discreditable' end after he slapped the bottom of a female recruit. Experienced Corporal of Horse Steven Henderson's behaviour in smacking the 19-year-old twice on a night out with young trainees was 'outrageous', a court martial heard. 'An experienced, senior NCO can't expect to lay hands on young female recruits in this way and have people be anything other than outraged,' Assistant Judge Advocate General John Atwill said. It was 'a sadly discreditable end to your creditable career', he added. Digraceful conduct of an indecent kind Father of two Cpl Henderson, who is leaving the Army, pleaded guilty to one charge of disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind at Bulford Military Court, Wilts. The 45-year-old has been fined £1,800 and must pay a £100 service compensation order to the victim. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment is known for its iconic tunics and plumed helmets, and for being at the heart of the King's Coronation, Royal weddings and state occasions. Cpl Henderson drank 'a considerable amount of alcohol' on the night out with trainees who were 'much younger' than him, the court martial heard. No flirtatious behaviour or consent Prosecutor Captain Ciaran Rafferty said Cpl Henderson went on a night out in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. The court heard the night out started in a Wetherspoons venue before moving to a pub called The Anne of Cleves and ending up at a karaoke bar named The Generous Briton. The prosecutor said Cpl Henderson slapped the bottom of one of the trainees at one of the pubs. Capt Rafferty said of the second incident: 'Later on in the evening, when the bar had closed, Henderson slapped the bottom of the same trainee again and sarcastically made jokes that it was somebody else. 'From the complainant's perspective, seemingly without any context, there wasn't any flirtatious behaviour or any indication she consented to these touches in any way.' She felt 'some confusion' and 'shock' at the incidents, the second of which happened while she was waiting for a taxi. 'Horseplay gone too far' Capt. Rafferty said that Cpl Henderson had a 'belief someone had slapped his bottom before he slapped her bottom and it was his belief this was the complainant'. The prosecutor said that Cpl Henderson has served 28 years in the British army and is due to leave the service at the end of the month. Cpl Henderson had some contact with trainees as part of his job in the household cavalry, but his role did not involve any teaching or training. For the defence, Chris Harper said Cpl Henderson's actions were simply 'horseplay gone too far'.
