Royal Horses Bolt Through London for Second Time in 3 Months

Three horses were “swiftly and safely recovered” after getting loose on July 1, the Ministry of Defence confirmed

Royal horses broke loose in London for the second time in three months.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that three horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment “became loose from their riders” on the morning of Monday, July 1 after the lead animal, which was being led rather than ridden, got spooked by a bus during a routine exercise, a statement obtained by PEOPLE confirmed.

This led to two riders being unseated from their horses, who also got loose. Six horses and five soldiers were conducting the exercise at the time.

“They were swiftly and safely recovered,” an Army spokesperson said of the animals. “One horse received minor injuries, but no further treatment is required and there were no injuries to the soldiers involved.”

The MoD confirmed all of the animals were returned to Hyde Park Barracks by 9.55 a.m. local time after they bolted from Seville Street to South Eaton Place in Belgravia, where one of the animals was recovered.

The other two horses continued to Vauxhall Bridge before being stopped.

Two horses on the loose bolt through the streets of London near Aldwych. Picture date: Wednesday April 24, 2024.

A royal horse bolts through London on April 24, 2024. JORDAN PETTITT/PA IMAGES VIA GETTY

“We’re aware that a number of horses were loose in central London and worked with the Army to locate them. We’re pleased to confirm that all of the horses have been accounted for. We are continuing to liaise with the Army,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

One of the horses could be seen running into a car while the other ran behind it in footage shared by a taxi driver on X (formerly known as Twitter).

The latest incident comes after five horses belonging to the Household Cavalry — named Vida, Trojan, Quaker, Tennyson and Vanquish — ran through the British capital on the morning of April 24.

Two horses on the loose bolt through the streets of London near Aldwych. Picture date: Wednesday April 24, 2024.

A photo of royal horses bolting through London on April 24, 2024.JORDAN PETTITT/PA IMAGES VIA GETTY

The MoD confirmed none of the horses involved in the previous incident broke loose on July 1.

On April 24, the animals had been exercising with three other horses in the Belgravia neighborhood when they became spooked by the sound of some construction concrete falling to the floor.

Two of the horses, Quaker and Vida, underwent surgery, but the Army said at the end of April that they were expected to make a full recovery.

Trojan, Tennyson and Vanquish are all back on duty after spending time recuperating at The Horse Trust in Chiltern Hills, located about an hour’s drive outside the city.

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Two horses on the loose bolt through the streets of London near Aldwych. Picture date: Wednesday April 24, 2024.

Royal horses bolt through London on April 24, 2024.JORDAN PETTITT/PA IMAGES VIA GETTY

They returned to duty for Trooping the Colour last month. “Tennyson will be riding in the prestigious Sovereign’s Escort at the rear rank of the second division on Saturday’s King’s Birthday Parade,” the Army said on its website ahead of the June 15 celebrations.

“Trojan and Vanquish will also be back in the public eye as part of The King’s Life Guard at Horse Guards, providing the ceremonial guard for the official entrance to the Royal Palaces on this, the most important date in the Royal Calendar,” the release added.

“Tennyson will be ridden by Corporal of Horse Harvey, the Life Guards Squadron Equitation Instructor and the most experienced rider in the division, to give the horse extra confidence on this, his first major parade since the incident in April,” the message continued.