Queen Elizabeth II’s hobbies and interests

Despite her demanding schedule of official engagements and duties as Head of State, The Queen found time to pursue hobbies and interests outside of her official responsibilities.

Horses

The Queen’s introduction to equestrian pursuits began with her first pony, Peggy, a gift from her grandfather, King George V. This early gesture sparked a lifelong devotion to horses. Over the years, Her Majesty developed extensive expertise as a rider, owner, and breeder of horses. Her deep affection for these majestic animals was prominently displayed at public race meetings, notably the Derby at Epsom and the prestigious Royal Ascot, a longstanding royal tradition dating back to 1711.

Known for her keen eye and success as a horse owner, Her Majesty frequently observed her own horses compete, witnessing numerous remarkable victories. On June 18, 1954, her horse Landau triumphed in the Rous Memorial Stakes, while Aureole secured victory in the Hardwicke Stakes. In 1957, during Ascot week, The Queen celebrated four wins, showcasing her prowess as an owner.

In a historic achievement, Her Majesty became the first reigning monarch to clinch victory in Royal Ascot’s prestigious Gold Cup with her thoroughbred Estimate in 2013. Additionally, her horse Highclere achieved renown by winning the Prix de Diane at Chantilly in 1975.

The Queen played a pivotal role in preserving several rare breeds of horses and ponies through dedicated breeding programs conducted in both her private stables and the working yards, which supplied horses for Royal and State occasions. Among the breeds championed by Her Majesty were Highland ponies, Fell ponies, and Cleveland Bays. Her commitment to safeguarding these breeds contributed significantly to their continued existence and vitality.

Dogs

On her eighteenth birthday, The Queen received a Corgi named Susan, marking the beginning of a cherished tradition. Susan became the matriarch of a line of Corgis, from which numerous successors were bred. Notably, some Corgis were crossbred with Dachshunds, notably Pipkin, who belonged to Princess Margaret, resulting in the creation of “Dorgis”. Since then, Her Majesty has been the proud owner of both Corgis and Dorgis, continuing her affection for these beloved canine companions.

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Her Majesty owned more than 30 Corgis and Dorgis during her lifetime

Other interests

The Queen enjoyed outdoor life. As well as riding well into her 90s, she also took great pleasure walking in the countryside and spending time with her dogs.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh shared a mutual love for Scottish country dancing. Every year, during their residence at Balmoral Castle, Her Majesty hosted the traditional Ghillies’ Balls. These gatherings welcomed neighbors, estate and castle staff, as well as members of the local community, for an evening of lively Scottish country dancing and camaraderie.