King Charles Shocked and Saddened by Soldier's Death at Royal Windsor Horse Show

Buckingham Palace said King Charles III was shocked and saddened to learn that a British soldier died after a fall at a horse show the king was attending this week.

The soldier died during a display of the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Friday evening. The unidentified soldier fell after leaving the arena following the display. Despite treatment, the injuries were serious and the soldier died at the scene, Thames Valley Police said.

The police said the horse show would continue as planned on Saturday but without another display of the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.

Charles attended the horse show, held on the grounds of Windsor Castle, along with his younger brother Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. Their daughter Lady Louise was working at the show, and the king's sister Princess Anne was also present.

Following the soldier's death, the king met with members of the King's Troop at the horse show after returning on Saturday.

While His Majesty and other members of the royal family were present at the arena at the time the incident took place, they were not made aware of the severity of the situation until later, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the king was greatly shocked and saddened to have learned subsequently of the troop member's death and will be in touch with the family to share his personal condolences. The thoughts and most heartfelt sympathies of the whole royal family are with the victim's loved ones and military colleagues at this time of grief.

On Saturday morning, the police appealed to the public for any information about the unexplained but non-suspicious death of the soldier.

At this stage, we have not found any suspicious circumstances, police said. We are working with the British Army, Ministry of Defence, the Defence Accident Investigation Branch and Royal Windsor Horse Show organisers HPower to gather as much information as possible to understand how this happened.