King Charles Receives a New Horse from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
![Embargoed until March 11, 2023 - 22:00 GMT / EMBARGOED UNTIL 2200 GMT on March 11, 2023 - An undated handout picture taken and released on March 11, 2023 by Buckingham Palace, shows Britain's King Charles III meeting the black mare 'Noble', a horse gifted to him by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), at the The Royal Mews in Windsor. - The relationship between the RCMP and The Royal Family dates back to 1904, when King Edward VII bestowed the title of Royal on the North-West Mounted Police, making it the Royal North-West Mounted Police. (Photo by BUCKINGHAM PALACE / AFP) / EMBARGOED UNTIL 2200 GMT on March 11, 2023 XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / BUCKINGHAM PALACE / PA WIRE " - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - NO DIGITAL ALTERATION ALLOWED - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS / ADDS EMBARGO EMBARGOED UNTIL 2200 GMT on March 11, 2023 The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by - has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [---] instead of [---]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. (Photo by -/BUCKINGHAM PALACE/AFP via Getty Images)](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/jnxwlfRJFsl7M8pjMwmYFA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/0406e82794484d760b8270a6dd21a785)
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King Charles III has a new steed to call his own.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced in a press release on Saturday that it gifted the 74-year-old royal a new horse named Noble, a 7-year-old black mare that stands 16.2 hands tall, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the RCMP.
King Charles III was snapped meeting the mare for the first time earlier this week at the British Royals' equestrian stables, The Royal Mews in Windsor.
In the photos, he stood proudly next to Noble, who had been adorned with a brown saddle and black furs, as well as a saddle blanket with the King's royal symbol printed in red, navy and gold. The horse's bridle featured intricate gold chains intertwining with dark brown leather, and a golden crown symbol was sewn into the leather placed on the horse's head.
![Embargoed until March 11, 2023 - 22:00 GMT / EMBARGOED UNTIL 2200 GMT on March 11, 2023 - An undated handout picture taken and released on March 11, 2023 by Buckingham Palace, shows Britain's King Charles III meeting the black mare 'Noble', a horse gifted to him by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), at the The Royal Mews in Windsor. - The relationship between the RCMP and The Royal Family dates back to 1904, when King Edward VII bestowed the title of Royal on the North-West Mounted Police, making it the Royal North-West Mounted Police. (Photo by BUCKINGHAM PALACE / AFP) / EMBARGOED UNTIL 2200 GMT on March 11, 2023 XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / BUCKINGHAM PALACE / PA WIRE " - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - NO DIGITAL ALTERATION ALLOWED - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS / ADDS EMBARGO EMBARGOED UNTIL 2200 GMT on March 11, 2023 The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by - has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [---] instead of [---]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. (Photo by -/BUCKINGHAM PALACE/AFP via Getty Images)](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ebU.kx0VasBHI64fByqr4w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTk0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/people_218/a428d80f9e556d6d60d4a52004e45493)
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King Charles III, wearing a navy blue coat with a white undershirt and light blue dotted tie, stroked Noble's muzzle in one shot and turned his head to admire the horse in another.
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RCMP said Noble had been a part of their 2022 Musical Ride, a tour that showcases their "cavalry's equestrian skills," and noted that she had shown "superior physical and athletic ability" as well as a "composed personality."
"Her calm demeanor allows her to thrive in the sometimes raucous atmosphere of exciting public events," the RCMP said in its description of Noble, adding that she was selected as the "ideal" horse for the king due to her "size and ability."
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The black mare had been bred and trained in Canada and got her name through the RCMP's annual 'Name the Foal' contest.
This isn't the first steed from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police that the royal will ride. As Prince of Wales, Charles frequently rode two horses gifted by the RCMP named James and George for Trooping the Colour, an event marking the birthday of the current British Sovereign. James had been gifted to his mother Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 and George was gifted in 2009.
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Six other horses were gifted by the RCMP to Queen Elizabeth II during her reign, including Burmese, in 1969, which she rode at Trooping the Colour for 18 years and another one named after her, which was gifted for her Diamond Jubilee in 20212.
The RCMP and the royal family have been connected since 1904 when King Edward VII bestowed the title of Royal on the North-West Mounted Police, according to the release.
