A shire horse raised on a farm in rural Wales will be centre stage during the coronation procession of King Charles III.
Ed – now known as Major Apollo – is a ceremonial drum horse raised in Eglwyswrw, Pembrokeshire.
He also took part in Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral procession.
The role involves leading 200 other horses on the procession route on the streets of London, carrying the ceremonial kettle drum.
He was the second horse to be sold by Dyfed Shire Horse Farm to the Household Cavalry in December 2019, following in the hoofprints of Celt, who became a drum horse in 2008.
A third shire horse from the farm, Willa Rose, has also been bought by the Household Cavalry and is being trained as a drum horse.
Major Apollo stands at more than 17 hands (1.73m or 5ft 6in), weighs nearly 800kg (125 stone) and has been trained to carry a musician and drums during ceremonial events.
Major Apollo’s royal links stretch back to July 2018, when Camilla, the Queen Consort, visited the farm along with the King, who was then Prince of Wales.
She took the reins as Ed pulled her around the farm on a carriage ride.
Huw Murphy helps run the farm with his family, and he has been to London to watch Major Apollo’s preparations for the big day.
He said: “They are the highest ranking animals in the British Army. I was down there last week and it is a joy to see how they look after these horses.
“They care for them with exceptional love. The drum horse leads the procession and leads the Household Cavalry mounted regiment band.”
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