Queen is ‘riding her horse again’ after ditching walking stick despite mobility problems 

The Queen is said to have defied doctors by getting back in the saddle – just days after she was seen without the walking stick she has relied on recently.

Nine months after she was advised to stop riding, the 96-year-old monarch has reportedly been on horseback in Windsor.

Unspecified ‘mobility problems’ kept her from attending some Platinum Jubilee events this month, and she was often seen using a stick during engagements.

Nine months after she was advised to stop riding, the 96-year-old monarch has reportedly been on horseback in Windsor (file photo)

She was even using a golf buggy to ‘walk’ her corgis. But after meeting Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at Windsor Castle on Tuesday without the aid of a stick, she appears to have made further progress.

A source told The Sun she had missed her riding for nine months, adding: ‘The Queen has enjoyed being on her horse again. Riding again is a wonderful sign after those worries about her health. To do so at 96 is pretty remarkable.’

The Queen often used to take part in Trooping the Colour on horseback, but in more recent years the role had been taken over by members of her family.

She has been a committed horsewoman ever since she was given a pony at three in 1929, and has been a devoted racehorse owner and breeder all her adult life.

Her Majesty is hoping to make her annual trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week but a decision will be taken closer to the time, Buckingham Palace has said.

The monarch, 96, who is facing ongoing mobility issues, is planning to be in residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh when other members of the royal family travel to Scotland en masse to carry out engagements between June 27 and July 1.

During her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen pledged to continue to serve as monarch ‘to the best of my ability supported by my family’.

The Queen’s children the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex – minus the Duke of York who no longer carries out public duties – will be joined by the Countess of Wessex to conduct a host of public appearances.