It was meant to be a perfectly organised military parade.
But a cheeky pony – who has previously caused mischief for Her Majesty the Queen – pooped in front of the monarch during an engagement this week.
Majesty the Queen appeared to cover her nose as she walked away from the black pony who dropped a load in front of her at the gates of Balmoral on Monday 6 August.
Queen Elizabeth II was talking to Pony Major Mark Wilkinson when the regimental Shetland pony, called Cruachan IV, let off some… errrr… steam by taking a dump on the road.
The Queen was inspecting the Balaclava Company, 5 Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland at the gates at Balmoral, as she took up summer residence at the castle.
According to the UK’s Daily Express, the Queen had been staying at Craigowan Lodge on the luxurious estate while she waited for Balmoral Castle to close to tourists.
Her husband, Prince Philip, was not in attendance during the military parade but the 92-year-old monarch appeared in good spirits as she inspected the guards of honour.
We don’t know if it was just the camera angle, but at one point the Queen – who looked radiant in royal blue – appeared to shield her nose and mouth from what may have been a rather pungent smell after the Shetland pony did his dirty deed.
It’s not the first time that particular animal has shown off a cheeky streak when meeting Her Majesty.
Last year the same pony nibbled on the Queen’s bouquet as she visited Scotland’s Stirling Castle.
