King Charles Encounters Relative of Late Queen's Beloved Pony Emma During Lancashire Tour
King Charles had a poignant encounter with a relative of his late mother's cherished pony, Emma, during a visit to Lancashire on Monday. The monarch toured Clitheroe Auction Mart on a non-market day, engaging with local farmers who showcased their rare breed sheep and cattle. This historic market serves as a cornerstone of the Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland, boasting a livestock trading history that dates back to 1499, with its current site established in 1897.
Meeting Pearl: A Connection to Queen Elizabeth's Funeral
In the auction ring, King Charles unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark his visit and met Fell pony Pearl. Pearl is related on her sire's side to Emma, the black Fell pony who famously appeared at Queen Elizabeth's funeral. Emma watched the funeral procession pass by, with the Queen's sheepskin saddle cover and the silk headscarf she wore when riding laid over her saddle, creating a deeply symbolic moment.
Pearl was bred by Rossendale farmers Andrew and Michelle Thorpe, who gave her as a wedding present to their nephew Ben, 39, when he married his wife Eleanor, 32. Ben Thorpe remarked, "She is part of the family, like having a dog," highlighting the personal significance of the pony.
Exploring Samlesbury Hall: A Historic First Visit
Later, King Charles visited Samlesbury Hall near Preston, becoming the first monarch to tour the 701-year-old medieval manor house. Upon arrival, he was greeted by two shire horses, Thunder and Regal, pulling a dray for Daniel Thwaites, a local family-run brewer established in 1807. The King spent time chatting with horsewoman Beverley Holland and colleagues Jonathan Jones and Richard Green, admiring the horses' polished brass harnesses.
Inside Samlesbury Hall, Charles met the hall's archivist, trustees, and volunteers dedicated to preserving the Grade-I listed building, founded around 1325 by Gilbert de Southworth. Saved from demolition in 1925, the hall now opens to the public for education, events, and cultural activities. Its original timber frame survives in the Great Hall, featuring a chapel, Tudor extensions, and priest holes that reflect the Catholic faith of the Southworth family, who owned the hall for over 300 years.
Trustee and volunteer Jason Karl showed the King several artefacts, including a large piece of oak timber from 1325 that formed part of the hall's original structure. Karl noted, "I think he was most interested in the Roman Catholic history of the house and the Southworth family." During the visit, Charles also spoke with Ishwer Tailor and his wife Urhila Tailor from the Gujarat Hindu Society in Preston, which he had visited as Prince Charles in 1981.
Supporting Local Business: A Cheese Campus Opening
For his final stop, King Charles sampled cheese at Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, a family business that rebuilt after a devastating fire. He had previously met owner Gill Hall during a visit to Lancaster in 2025, where she shared the story of the November 2023 fire that destroyed 95 percent of their stock. On Monday, he officially opened the firm's new cheese campus in Inglewhite, near Preston.
Mrs. Hall, 65, expressed her gratitude, saying, "He understood the pain that we've been through and the resilience that it's taken to get to this stage and, as I said to him at the end, he's given us a boost." This visit underscored the King's commitment to supporting local resilience and heritage across Lancashire.
