The British Royal Mews took part in the Opening Ceremony of the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, this week, joining their counterparts from the Netherlands and Denmark in a striking display of European equestrian tradition.
Buckingham Palace shared photographs from the occasion on Wednesday, confirming the prestigious invitation.
“It was a privilege to take part in the opening of the show, as guests of the FEI, celebrating Anglo-German relations and taking part alongside the Royal Mews of The Netherlands and Denmark,” the Royal Family’s social media post stated.
The FEI World Championships rank among the foremost competitions in international equestrian sport, staged once every four years under the auspices of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.
Elite riders and horses from across the globe vie for both individual and team honours at the event.
The ceremony drew a notable gathering of European royalty. Princess Catherine-Amalia of the Netherlands was in attendance, as were Queen Mary of Denmark and Princess Benedikte.
The 22-year-old heir to the Dutch throne showed her arm scar publicly for the first time on Tuesday evening.
The British Royal Mews took part in the Opening Ceremony of the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, this week, joining their counterparts from the Netherlands and Denmark in a striking display of European equestrian tradition
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Last June, Amalia fell from her horse, Mojito, sustaining a broken upper arm. She was taken to UMC Utrecht, where she underwent an operation before being released from hospital two days later.
Zara Tindall, a distinguished equestrian in her own right and granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, also graced the occasion, further underlining the British Crown’s deep connection to the sport.
The King’s niece, 45, stepped out in Aachen sporting a black sleeveless top, tortoiseshell rectangular sunglasses and a beaming smile on her face.
Princess Catharina-Amalia showed her arm scar publicly for the first time on Tuesday evening
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GETTYZara followed in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, the late Queen, in pursuing a passion in equestrianism, and carved out an impressive career for herself.
The royal, who is married to former rugby star Mike Tindall, won team silver at the 2012 London Olympics and other European eventing championship titles.
She was also named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2006.
Her return to Aachen yesterday marked a significant personal milestone for Zara, some 20 years on from when she claimed individual eventing gold riding Toytown at the 2006 World Equestrian Games.
Zara Tindall arrived in Germany for the 2026 FEI World Championships in all black on Tuesday
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GETTYThe evening’s programme, themed “Welcome Home,” featured the impressive equestrian displays involving more than 250 horses, alongside live music, dance and an ambitious audiovisual production.
An innovative parade of nations was also on display, with competing riders passing through the stands to engage directly with spectators.
The ceremony was designed to weave together sport, tradition and culture, with organisers billing it as a celebration of the deep ties between Europe’s royal houses and the equestrian world.