Police show Queen their ‘War Horse’

She was introduced to Harry Patch and fellow Avon and Somerset Police horse Jubilee during a visit to Nine Springs Country Park in Yeovil.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh presented the geldings with their official name badges.

The royal couple were carrying out a second day of visits in the South West of England as part of the Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK.

The police horse was named after Harry Patch – known as “the last Tommy” – who died three years ago aged 111.

Mr Patch, from Wells in Somerset, fought in the Battle of Passchendaele at Ypres in 1917.

The eight-year-old horse, a 17.3-hands Irish Draught, joined the force two years ago and was allocated to Pc Tracey Small in January.

Meanwhile, seven-year-old Jubilee, a 17.3-hands Shire-cross, was recruited three months ago and is undergoing training with handler Pc Jonathan Green.

Several hundred people were at Nine Springs Country Park to welcome the Queen and Duke, who toured stalls at a Jubilee Country Fayre.

Before leaving, the Queen cut a fruit cake baked by food and hospitality students at Yeovil College to mark the royal visit.

The Queen and Philip then travelled by car to Crewkerne Town Hall, where they viewed local produce and saw a display of local history.