Queen looks delighted as she arrives at the Royal Windsor Horse Show

The Queen appeared in great spirits this morning as she arrived at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, said to be Her Majesty’s favourite event of the year. 

Dressed in more casual attire than usual for the occasion, the 95-year-old monarch wore a navy padded gilet over her smart white shirt, teamed with a vibrant green cardigan and cotton skirt. 

Her Majesty, who had an audience with Angela Merkel at Windsor Castle yesterday as the German chancellor continued her valedictory visit to Britain, was seen arriving first thing so as not to miss any of the action from day three of the prestigious competition.

The monarch could be seen grinning with joy as she soaked up the atmosphere at one of her favourite equestrian events of the year in the private grounds of her home. 

Right on time! Her Majesty (pictured), 95, who hosted German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Windsor Castle yesterday, was seen arriving first thing so as not to miss any of the action

The Queen, sporting a vibrant floral blue and green ensemble, continued her busy schedule yesterday when receiving  the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, pictured left, dressed in a smart blue blazer

Yesterday, Mrs Merkel, who is preparing to hand over power after almost 16 years in the autumn and is making a series of farewell trips, went to Windsor Castle for a last official audience with the monarch after talks with Boris Johnson at Chequers.

It was the second time they have met within a few weeks, after they were seen together at the G7 summit in Cornwall last month. She and the Queen posed for the cameras, with her majesty telling the German leader they were ‘making history’.

The Queen is a regular fixture at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which is now in its 77th year and attracts well-heeled visitors from all over the world. 

The Queen is believed to have attended every single year since it began as a wartime fundraising event back in 1943. Last year the show was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and went online instead. 

What a laugh! The monarch (pictured) could be seen beaming with joy as she watched the action and soaked up the atmosphere at one of her favourite equestrian events of the year in the private grounds of her home

Having a great time! The Queen, who appeared delighted, is a regular fixture at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which is now in its 77th year and attracts well-heeled visitors from all over the world

Looking good: Dressed in more casual attire than usual for the occasion, she wore a navy padded gilet over her smart white shirt, teamed with a vibrant green cardigan and skirt

 A top occasion: The annual equestrian spectacular, which has long been an unmissable event in Her Majesty’s diary, sees competitors taking part in a range of events from show jumping to dressage. Pictured, the Queen at this year’s show

It was also forced to postpone in 2001 due to foot and mouth disease, while one day of the show was previously cancelled in May 2016 due to flooding.

The event is intrinsically linked with the royal family; both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh competed at it during their younger years, with Prince Philip entering the Carriage Driving at Royal Windsor Horse Show for 30 years, winning it just once in 1982.

In more recent years, the Queen has watched many of her own horses take part in the showing class competitions. The Royal Windsor Horse Show continues tomorrow for its final event. 

The annual equestrian spectacular, which has long been an unmissable event in Her Majesty’s diary, sees competitors taking part in a range of events from show jumping to dressage.

Reading up on the event: The Queen watches her horses compete on day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show