13 adorable photos that show how much Queen Elizabeth loves animals
Talia Lakritz
- Queen Elizabeth loves animals.
- She still goes horseback riding at 94 years old.
- On royal engagements, she has met elephants, lizards, owls, and other creatures.
Queen Elizabeth has met many people on her royal outings and engagements. She has also made the acquaintance of many members of the animal kingdom.
As an avid horse rider and dog owner, her love of animals runs deep.
Here are 13 delightful photos that show how much the Queen enjoys the company of various creatures.
Queen Elizabeth has a soft spot for dogs.
In Edinburgh, Scotland, Queen Elizabeth petted a guide dog at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
She's particularly fond of corgis.
She has owned more than 30 corgis since 1945.
She always takes the time to pat their furry heads when she sees them at events.
Her last royal corgi died in 2018.
At 94 years old, the Queen still enjoys going horseback riding.
She was recently photographed riding her trusty steed on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
She visited an equine hospital in 2014 to bring some cheer to the horses in their care.
At Cotts Equine Hospital in Wales, the Queen patted the nose of Teaforthree the horse.
She befriended an elephant at the Whipsnade Zoo in Dunstable, England.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip took turns feeding Donna the elephant.
She became acquainted with a koala on a visit to Australia.
On a 2011 visit to Australia, Queen Elizabeth met two koalas in Brisbane.
She looked pleased to meet a Highland cow in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Queen Elizabeth visited the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh in 2009.
Queen Elizabeth met Bart the Bosc monitor lizard in Yorkshire.
She met the lizard at Bishop Burton Agricultural College near Beverley, Yorkshire.
In Wales, she greeted an owl.
She met an owl while visiting the Venue Cymru Arena in Llandudno, Wales, in 2010.
She encountered a baby swan on the River Thames.
The cygnets are counted along the river every year by the Queen's Swan Marker.
When the Queen meets farmers, she takes the time to meet their farm animals, as well.
At Welshpool Livestock Market in Wales, she introduced herself to farmer Gwyn Price and his sheep.
The Royal Welsh Regimental Family's regimental goats also made a dignified impression.
While observing St. David's Day at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth, England, the regimental goats stood to attention as the Queen walked by.
- Read more:
- Queen Elizabeth II is the world's longest-reigning queen — and the wealthiest. Here are all the Guinness World Records she holds.
- 31 vintage photos of a young Queen Elizabeth before she became Queen
- I tried a chocolate cupcake recipe from Queen Elizabeth's pastry chefs and it resulted in a royal baking fail
- 22 adorable photos that show how Queen Elizabeth II is just a regular grandma
READ MORE ARTICLES ON
Popular Right Now
Popular Keywords
Advertisement