Imagine being in the presence of royalty for years, and then suddenly making a blunder that makes everyone’s eyes widen.
That’s exactly what happened to Terry Pendry, who worked as a Stud Groom at the Royal Mews in Windsor.
For 28 years, he took care of the Queen’s and Duke of Edinburgh’s horses, often riding alongside the Queen up until her later years.
The Royal Blunder
Terry Pendry, now 74, recently shared a story about a time he crossed a line with Prince Philip.
Pendry had been entrusted with the care of the Queen’s beloved pony, Emma, and had received permission to trim the pony’s coat.
This was no small favor; the pony’s thick winter coat made grooming a tough job, and trimming it would make Pendry’s life a bit easier.
The Unexpected Reaction
A few days after the trimming, Prince Philip, known among the staff as “The Old Man,” came into the stable and noticed the change.
He was clearly upset and let his feelings be known. Pendry, trying to lighten the mood, made a joke about the Duke’s displeasure.
“I’d rather you’d keep your cartridges for pheasants and partridges—Pendrys are out of season,” he quipped.
The Queen was visibly shocked, and Pendry’s joke didn’t land well.
Prince Philip’s reaction was intense and multilingual, filled with colorful language in English, German, Dutch, and Greek.
Pendry stood his ground, but it was clear that he had crossed a line.
Reflection and Forgiveness
Looking back, Pendry acknowledges he made a mistake.
He praises the royal family for their ability to express their anger but then quickly move on, without holding grudges.
He admired how they could speak their mind and then put things behind them.
Pendry’s encounter with Prince Philip was a harsh lesson in royal etiquette.
Despite the Duke’s stern reprimand, Pendry reflects positively on the experience, appreciating the royal family’s straightforwardness and capacity for forgiveness.
The next day, Pendry and Prince Philip were on good terms again, showing just how quickly things can return to normal in the royal household.
It’s a reminder that even in the most formal of settings, everyone is human and capable of making mistakes—and sometimes, those mistakes lead to valuable lessons.