In a recent statement, Buckingham Palace revealed that King Charles III was deeply “shocked and saddened” upon learning of the tragic death of a British soldier during an event he attended this week.
The incident occurred on Friday evening at the Royal Windsor Horse Show during a performance by the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. The soldier, whose identity has not been disclosed, suffered a fatal fall after exiting the arena following the display.
Despite immediate medical attention, the soldier’s injuries proved fatal, and they were pronounced dead at the scene, according to a press release from Thames Valley Police.
Officials have confirmed that the horse show will proceed as planned on Saturday, but the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery will not perform again.
King Charles III was present at the event, which took place on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Accompanying him were his younger brother, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, his wife, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, their daughter, Lady Louise, who was working at the event, and Princess Anne, the king’s sister.
Charles attended the horse show, which is on the grounds of Windsor Castle, along with his younger brother Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, their daughter Lady Louise, who was working at the show, and the king’s sister Princess Anne.
Following the soldier’s death, the king met with members of the King’s Troop at the horse show after returning on Saturday.
King Charles III greets young riders during the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Saturday. (Aaron Chown/PA Images)
“While His Majesty and other members of the royal family were present at the arena at the time the incident took place, they were not made aware of the severity of the situation until later,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said, according to the London Times.
The spokesperson added, “The King was greatly shocked and saddened to have learned subsequently of the troop member’s death and will be in touch with the family to share his personal condolences. The thoughts and most heartfelt sympathies of the whole royal family are with the victim’s loved ones and military colleagues at this time of grief.”
Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s after-hours request for comment.
King Charles III greets well-wishers during the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Windsor, Berkshire, on Saturday. (Aaron Chown/PA Images)
The annual horse show is the only time the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public.
On Saturday morning, the police appealed to the public for any information about the “unexplained but non-suspicious death” of the soldier.
Participants take part in the Coaching Marathon as they walk up the Long Walk during the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Friday. (Andrew Matthews/PA Images)
“At this stage, we have not found any suspicious circumstances,” police said in a post on Facebook. “We are working with the British Army, Ministry of Defence, the Defence Accident Investigation Branch and Royal Windsor Horse Show organisers HPower to gather as much information as possible to understand how this happened.”
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