Pony who took a bite from the late queen’s sweet pea bouquet takes on the key role of Charles escort
Naughty mascot pony who took a bite of the late Queen’s sweet pea posy gets the key Charles escort role
- Corporal Cruachan IV tried to nibble Prince Harry’s fingers during a visit to Scotland
- The pony also took a bite out of the late Queen’s pea bouquet during a state visit
He is a firm royal favorite who once tried to chew the late Queen’s bouquet.
Now, in recognition of his service to his country, Corporal Cruachan IV has been given a key role in the upcoming Scottish coronation of the king.
The 14-year-old Shetland pony, the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, accompanies the People’s Procession from Edinburgh Castle to St Giles Cathedral.
At just 11hh (3ft7in), Cruachan IV, or Four as he’s known in military circles, makes up for his small stature with a big personality – and impressive social media following (he has nearly 3,500 followers on Twitter alone).
In 2016, during a state visit to Stirling Castle, the gelding famously took a bite out of the Queen’s sweet pea bush.
Corporal Cruachan IV (pictured with the late Queen in 2021) has been given a key role in the King’s forthcoming Scottish coronation
The Monarch, known for her love of horses and ponies, was seen laughing and hiding the flowers behind her back before telling him to ‘go away’. She then patted him on the back before going in for a church service.
Two years later, the cheeky pony tried to nibble on Prince Harry’s fingers during his first official joint visit to Scotland with then-fiance Meghan Markle.
Cruachan IV has been the official mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland for the past decade, representing the regiment on ceremonial occasions and acting as an animal ambassador.
In 2016, during a state visit to Stirling Castle, the gelding famously took a bite out of the Queen’s sweet pea bush (pictured)
As his name suggests, he is the fourth Cruachan to fill the role since 1929, when Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, gave the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders a black Shetland gelding.
The first was briefly called Tom Thumb before being renamed Cruachan by soldiers of the regiment – after the battle cry of the Clan Campbell and also Ben Cruachan, the highest mountain in Argyll and Bute.
When not on public assignments, Cruachan IV spends most of his time at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh, where he is cared for by Pony Major Mark Wilkinson.
It takes up to three hours to brush Cruachan’s coat, comb his mane and tail, brush his hooves and put on his regimental tartan saddle pad, which he will wear on Wednesday.