Mounted troops from the Middle East were at the forefront of a star-studded equestrian show celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee.
The British monarch was honoured with a standing ovation at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Sunday.
The queen, who is marking 70 years on the British throne, applauded as The Royal Cavalry Oman performed an expert display of horsemanship.
Those at the open-air arena near Windsor Castle were treated to a traditional display, including a group of horses who laid down midway through the performance in an impressive move alongside their trainers.
The Bahrain Defence Force and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police escorted the queen from the arena back to Windsor Castle after the show.
King Hamad of Bahrain had been personally invited to the event by the queen but was unable to attend after the death of the UAE's President Sheikh Khalifa on Friday.
Tom Cruise and Dame Helen Mirren led the cast of entertainers who appeared in the first major event marking the queen’s 70-year reign.
The audience rose to their feet applauding and cheering when the monarch arrived for the musical and theatrical romp across the centuries called A Gallop Through History.
The event welcomed spectators over four days and the queen spent part Friday touring the showgrounds after earlier missing Britain's State Opening of Parliament.
The queen appeared to enjoy the show, particularly its finale when her own horses and ponies were led around the open-air arena, passing the royal box.
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Queen Elizabeth II arrives for ‘A Gallop Through History’ performance. as part of the official celebrations for her platinum jubilee at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth II, with Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, meets Alan Tichmarsh and Adjoa Andoh in Windsor. Getty Images -
A Gallop Through History was an equestrian event held in the grounds of Windsor Castle on four evenings from May 12 to May 15 May 2022, as part of the queen's platinum jubilee celebrations. Reuters -
Queen Elizabeth II looks pleased to be attending the event in Windsor. Getty Images -
Actor Tom Cruise speaks at A Gallop Through History. AP -
Gregory Porter performs at A Gallop Through History. PA -
Britain's queen the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Reuters -
Pritee Varsani performs at the event. PA -
Queen Elizabeth II arrives. The events were part of celebrations to mark her 70 years on the throne. Getty Images -
Lady Louise Windsor in action at A Gallop Through History at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. PA -
A colourful dance performance entertains the crowds. Reuters -
Katherine Jenkins performs at Windsor Castle. PA -
Dancers put on a show for the queen. Reuters -
The King's Troop fire cannon as part of the celebrations. PA -
A Gallop Through History Platinum Jubilee celebration at the Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Castle. PA -
The Top Secret Drum Corps performs. PA -
A show by dancers from Trinidad and Tobago. PA -
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II watches on. Reuters -
Dame Helen Mirren, dressed as Queen Elizabeth I, performs during A Gallop Through History. AP -
Britain's Princess Anne meets Alan Titchmarsh and Omid Djalili. AP -
Performers from Azerbaijan put their horses through their paces. PA -
The Household Cavalry performs. PA -
The Earl and Countess of Wessex meet Alan Titchmarsh and Omid Djalili. PA -
Lady Louise Windsor drives a carriage once belonging to the Duke of Edinburgh at A Gallop Through History. PA -
Two King Charles spaniels take centre stage. PA -
Ship ahoy ... part of the show features a nautical theme. PA -
Performers put on a show for the queen. Reuters -
The cast conducts three cheers to Britain's Princess Beatrice. PA -
Princess Beatrice leaves the equestrian show. PA
Dame Helen gave a heartfelt tribute to the queen, telling the head of state: “For all these years you have carried our nation. You have been at its heart, its drumbeat. You have given us purpose and when situations have been challenging, your hope, guidance and leadership have been unswerving."
Despite mobility issues the queen had walked to her seat in the royal box after she was driven into the arena escorted by mounted divisions of the Household Cavalry.
She was joined by the Earl and Countess of Wessex for the show that reflected her life-long passion for horses.
A guard of honour featuring the Coldstream Guards, RAF Regiment and Royal Navy was in place for the queen’s arrival, while Britain's national anthem was played by military musicians.
Among the celebrities taking part were Damian Lewis and Katherine Jenkins, as well as an all-star cast of British and international talent for Sunday’s performance.
The queen sat in the royal box with a blanket over her knees and a shawl around her shoulders.
Performers from Azerbaijan had the crowds cheering when riders performed feats as their horses galloped, from lying on their backs to doing handstands.
The group had travelled 4,000 miles to perform at the event.
Cruise introduced what he said was “one of the most enthralling, thrilling, heart-in-mouth displays” as he announced a performance by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
He said: “It takes huge courage and discipline to do what they do, galloping with guns that were fired in the battles of the First World War, weighing one-and-a-half tonnes, with no brakes.
“The drive demonstrates absolute trust between horse and rider.”
The crowd clapped in time to the music as an orchestra played and the horses galloped around the arena pulling the historic guns.
At the show’s conclusion, the queen was driven on a lap of honour in her vehicle, waving to the cheering spectators as she passed.
