Ex-British army chief falls from horse after Trooping the Colour

A former head of the British armed forces is in hospital after falling from his horse following the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank received medical attention and was being looked after in hospital, an army spokesman said.

Lord Guthrie, 79, could be seen lying on the ground and surrounded by police officers after the fall, which took place near the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace, central London, on Saturday.

Pictures showed Guthrie on the ground as officers rushed to his aid while another officer led his horse away. Details about his condition have not been released.

An army spokesman said: “Field Marshal the Lord Guthrie, Colonel the Life Guards, fell from his horse during the parade. He received prompt medical attention and is now being cared for in hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery.”

Guthrie, a former SAS commander, was head of the British army until 1997 and then chief of the defence staff until 2001.

The defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, tweeted: “Everyone at the Ministry of Defence DefenceHQ also sends their best wishes to Field Marshal Lord Guthrie on a speedy recovery.”

RAF veteran John Nichol tweeted: “Hearing Field Marshal Lord Guthrie was thrown from his horse earlier. “troopingofthecolour Really hope all is OK - a nicer General Officer you could not hope to meet. Wishing you well Sir.”