The Horse That Ran Away
The one guest who DIDN'T want to be there: Runaway horse throws its soldier and makes a swift exit
Daily Mail UK
Last updated at 9:16 PM on 29th April 2011
It wouldn’t be a proper wedding if there wasn’t at least one slip-up.
But pity the poor cavalry guardsman who fell from his horse when it spooked at the cheering crowds.
He desperately tried to cling on, but was thrown onto the tarmac as the carriage procession left Westminster Abbey and turned from Parliament Square onto Whitehall.
At first he managed to grab onto the reins and keep his steed to one side, as Kate and William passed by in their open-top 1902 State Landau.
Kate, who is allergic to horses, looked shocked and a little worried, but William calmly reassured her.
Runaway: The horse threw its rider before leaving the cavalry procession and bolting up Whitehall
Homing sense: The riderless creature careers alongside the procession - but eventually found its way home to the stables at Horse Guards' Barracks
It was at this point that the horse broke free of its rider’s grip and bolted up the road.
It overtook the newly-weds’ carriage and a mounted police officer tried to grab its reins.
The rest of the Household Cavalry, comprised of the Life Guards and Prince Harry’s Blues and Royals, looked on as their horses dodged the runaway.
As it careered up the road, police officers stationed at the crowd barriers yelled at the spectators to protect their faces with their arms in case it charged into the crowd.Fortunately for the frightened animal, and the thousands lining the streets, it made straight for home – the stables of the Horse Guards’ Barracks further up Whitehall
Claire Davis, 37, watched the commotion with her husband Horace, 40, and their children Alannah, 13 and Marcus, five.
Just married: Kate looked alarmed when she saw the horse break loose but was reassured by her new husband
Mrs Davis, from Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, said: ‘The horses seemed to be quite upset and distressed with the cheering of the crowd and one of the horse’s heads went up and he jolted the rider off.
‘Another soldier grabbed the horse by the reins and was telling the guy who had fallen off to come to the side and remount.
‘But it was difficult for him to regain control, without someone on its back.
‘He was trying to herd it down the side of the barrier but it was hard as the horse was so strong.
‘People were worried about it charging into the crowd, and the rider stopped it doing that at a crucial moment which really prevented a disaster.
Another onlooker Kelly Littlewood, 24, from Gee Cross in Greater Manchester, said: ‘Kate pulled a funny face and looked quite worried when it happened.
‘The horse raced up the road right in front of Kate and William’s carriage, but you could see William calming Kate down.
‘It was very fortunate that no-one was injured – that would have been dreadful.’