Princess Anne and Prince Michael of Kent attend thanksgiving service for the Queen’s racing advisor and friend, Sir Michael Oswald, alongside Trinny Woodall and Andrew Parker Bowles
- Sir Michael Oswald, a friend of the Queen and her racing advisor, died last year
- A thanksgiving service was held today at St Clement Danes Church in London
- Princess Anne was among the attendees at today’s thanksgiving service
- The Queen was absent, amid fears she may miss Prince Philip’s memorial
Princess Anne was pictured today attending the thanksgiving service of Sir Michael Oswald, who was a close friend of the Queen as well as her horse racing advisor, in London.
Sir Michael, former manager of the Royal Studs, died at the age of 86 after a long illness on April 17, 2021, the day of Prince Philip’s funeral.
Numerous high profile faces were spotted attending the memorial service today, which was held at St Clement Danes Church, including Trinny Woodall, Prince Michael of Kent, and Andrew Parker Bowles.
However, her Majesty the Queen was not at the event, despite the close relationship she had with Sir Michael after mobility problems have put her attendance at her own husband’s memorial next week in doubt.
Sources this week said the 95-year-old monarch ‘hopes’ to attend a service to remember her late husband Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey next Tuesday, but a decision is likely to be made only at the last minute.
Princess Anne, 71, was pictured attending the memorial service of the late Sir Michael Oswald, a close friend of the Queen, today. Her majesty was not seen to be in attendance
Celebrity Trinny Woodall was snapped at the memorial service today, wearing an all-cream outfit, including cream trousers and a coat, as well as matching sunglasses and pearls
Among those remembering the horse racing specialist today were Prince Michael of Kent (pictured, left) and Andrew Parker Bowles (pictured, right)
Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Michael Oswald (pictured here at Ascot Racecourse on October 18, 2014) were close friends. Additionally, Sir Michael worked as the monarch’s racing advisor
As well as Princess Anne, today’s service for Sir Michael Oswald was attended by Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and Sir Tim Laurence, the husband of Princess Anne, 71.
Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman also went, later Tweeting about the service, saying: ‘Farewell + RIP Sir Michael Oswald: much loved & respected icon of thoroughbred breeding, former racing manager to HM Queen Mother & longtime Norfolkman.
‘Wonderful service of Thanksgiving w Princess Anne at St Clement Danes for a life well lived.’
Despite the solemnity of the occasion, Princess Anne, who dressed in all-black, including her hat, seemed to be in good spirits
The 71-year-old royal was seen smiling as she exited the memorial service, holding an order of service in her hand
Sir Tim Laurence, the husband of Princess Anne, appeared to be deep in thought as he left the church following the service
Sir Michael’s association with the royal family dates back decades: before taking up the post as the Queen’s racing advisor in 2003, he worked for the Queen Mother from 1970 until her death in 2002.
In 1969 Sir Michael, who was born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in 1934, and went to Eton then King’s College, Cambridge, was recruited as manager of the Royal Studs, which for six years he ran from Hampton Court.
Later, he moved to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk and in the 1970s enjoyed a golden age for the Queen’s racing, with top performers such as Highclere, winner of the One Thousand Guineas and the French Oaks.
Pensive: Trinny Woodall appeared pensive as she talked to other memorial attendees outside the church, after the service
Paying respect: Additional attendees at the memorial included Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (pictured, left) and racehorse trainer Nicky Henderson (pictured, right)
In the 2020 New Year Honours list, he was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).
Equestrian sports are one of the royal family’s passions, with the Queen having learned to ride a horse at the age of three.
Commenting on the Queen’s interest, Sir Michael previously said: ‘There was never a better and more knowledgeable owner to answer to.’
Nicky Henderson, a trainer of royal jump horses, told the Racing Post how Sir Michael loved his role with the Queen and Queen Mother’s horses and was very close to both royals.
Sir Michael’s association with the royal family dates back decades. Here he is pictured alongside the Queen at Epsom racecourse for the Derby meeting, in Epsom in 1983
The racing advisor also worked with the Queen Mother, between 1970 and her death in 2002. Here he is pictured with the Queen Mother (left) as well as the Queen (right) and Prince Charles (far right)
Sir Michael, the Queen, and Prince Philip, watch the Investec Derby at The Derby Festival in 2013 in Epsom
He explained how the retired Sir Michael would go ‘absolutely anywhere’ to watch Her Majesty’s horses run, even when in his eighties.
‘The Queen once said to me that we had to stop Michael travelling all over the country. I did very respectfully point out she was the only one who could do that.’ said Mr Henderson.
After Sir Michael’s death, his widow Lady Angela – for many years a lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother – paid tribute to her husband, speaking to the Racing Post.
She said: ‘He always said he had the most wonderful job anybody could ever have had and that for all his working life he was simply doing what he would have done had he been a rich man who didn’t have to work.’
Source: Read Full Article
