Metropolitan Police horses get set for their royal duties

With the Royal Wedding going ahead on Friday, the famous grey horses of the Metropolitan Police are still waiting to hear which horses have been chosen to escort the Royal Couple’s carriage on the big day.

The Metropolitan horses will be selected down to nine based on the calmest temperaments and whether there coats match for ceremonial and safety purposes. The beautiful greys will be followed by the marriage procession after the wedding through London from Westminster Abby to Buckingham Palace.

The Troops horses are used in high profile ceremonial events and general patrol including football matches. The experience of theses horses will help them be accustomed to the type of crowds London’s streets will attract on Friday.

 The horses have been put through an intense testing programme of various exercises and routines, preparing everything from gleaming horse tack and beautifully turned out horses. The Mounted Branch has much experience leading processions including Diana’s Wedding and the funeral of the Queen Mother.

The Head of Mounted Branch, Bob Barker, explained: 'We look at the grey horses that we've got, and we assess them for their temperament and how they match in colour.  Particularly for something like the royal wedding, it's going to be a real challenge for the horses and the officers on the route.

'The noise, the crowd, the flags - it's all going to be a challenge.'