Royal Canadian Mounted Police Gifted King Charles a New Horse named Noble

His Majesty King Charles III receives a new horse from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada's federal police force, Buckingham Palace announced today. 

The horse named Noble, a seven-year-old mare who stands 16.2 hands high, is currently settling into life at The Royal Mews in Windsor. 

Noble, King Charles III's new horse from RCMP

Royal Canadian Mounted Police  Musical Ride. ©RCMP 

There is a long tradition of the RCMP gifting horses to the Monarch. The more formal relationship traces back to 1904 when King Edward VII awarded the title of Royal to the North-West Mounted Police in recognition of 30 years of service to Canada and the Empire. This was the official birth of the Royal North-West Mounted Police.

Since then, the organization—the Musical Ride, in particular—has shared a special bond with the Royal Family. The RCMP has had a direct and personal link to The King as their Honorary Commissioner since 2012.

Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the four horses gifted to the Queen, George, Elizabeth, Darby, and St. John, took part in her state funeral in September 2022

Four members of the RCMP riding horses they had gifted to The Queen, took part in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral procession in September 2022. George, Elizabeth, Darby, and Sir John. These special horses helped lead the Queen's coffin procession.

This year, 2023, the RCMP marks its 150th anniversary. And in recognition of this milestone and the upcoming coronation of His Majesty, the RCMP is pleased to announce that RCMP Musical Ride horse Noble will be presented to the King.

King Charles III meets Noble, a RCMP Musical Ride horse. ©The Royal Family 

King Charles III personally requested a horse from the RCMP Musical Ride to eventually be his new charger horse (ridden for Trooping the Colour parades) when his current horse, George, retires. George was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2009, and it is the horse King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, had ridden during Trooping the Colours since 2009.

Now, as Charles enters the new era as a British Sovereign, he wants another horse from RCMP to accompany him as George prepares to retire. And Noble is a perfect choice.

Chosen for her athletic ability and calm demeanor, Noble is a veteran of the RCMP’s Musical Ride and has participated in 90 public performances in 50 locations in Canada. His Majesty was pleased to meet Noble for the first time at The Royal Mews earlier this week. 

The King, then the Prince of Wales, rode George at Trooping the Colours in 2022, at his back is Prince William ©The Royal Family 

The Prince of Wales with his horse George at Trooping the Colours 2015 

 

Noble will make another royal history with the new British monarch. She toured with the RCMP’s Musical Ride in 2022, where she was recognized for her superior physical and athletic ability and composed personality.

Having demonstrated her potential during the tour with the Musical Ride, participating in 90 public performances at 50 different locations in Canada, Noble was selected as the ideal horse for King Charles III due to her size and ability.

King Charles III meets Noble at The Royal Mews

Noble's calm demeanor allows her to thrive in a raucous atmosphere of exciting public events. Thus, a perfect companion for the King during public events such as Trooping the Colours. 

Bred and trained in Canada as part of the RCMP breeding program in Pakenham, Ontario, Noble received her name through the RCMP’s annual ‘Name the Foal’ contest. Noble’s registered name, following the necessary naming conventions for Hanoverian mares (whose official names must begin with the same letter as their sire, named High Spirits), is Her Noble.

RCMP Musical Ride

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is the federal and national police service of Canada. As police services are the constitutional responsibility of provinces and territories of Canada, the RCMP's primary responsibility is the enforcement of federal criminal law, and sworn members of the RCMP have jurisdiction as peace officers in all provinces and territories of Canada. 

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are known for their world-famous Musical Ride – a showcase of their cavalry’s equestrian skills – and have a long association with The Royal Family.

RCMP had taken part in the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The ‘Mounties’ presented Her late Majesty with eight horses throughout her reign. The first of these was Burmese, in 1969, the one ridden by Queen Elizabeth II at Trooping the Colour for 18 years. 

A symbol of tradition, honor, and pride, the Musical Ride is a Canadian icon recognized at home and abroad. The Musical Ride supports front-line police operations by building positive relationships, supporting recruiting efforts, and promoting the RCMP's image in communities in Canada and around the world.

The troop of up to 32 riders, who are all police officers, and their horses perform intricate formations and drills set to music, lasting about 30 minutes. These movements demand the utmost control, timing, and coordination.