Monty Roberts, a celebrated horse trainer who struck up a close friendship with Queen Elizabeth II, has died at the age of 91, his family has announced
The late Queen and Queen Camilla with horse trainer Monty Roberts at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace in 2015 (Image: Getty Images)
A celebrated horse trainer dubbed the ‘horse whisperer’ who struck up an unlikely friendship with the late Queen has died, his family has announced.
American Monty Roberts, who bonded with the former monarch over their shared love of the animals, died aged 91, with his family paying an emotional tribute to him on social media. Mr Roberts became revered around the world for his compassionate, non-violent approach to training animals. He earned the nickname the Real Horse Whisperer and is said to have inspired the Robert Redford movie and book of the same name.
He first connected with Elizabeth II in 1989, when she had read with interest about his horse training approach, and eventually he was invited to Windsor Castle to meet her, the late Queen Mother and Prince Philip.
What followed was a friendship between the pair, which spanned until the late Queen’s death in September 2022. His daughter Debbie wrote on Instagram: “It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my father, Monty Roberts, on July 31, 2026.
“For the world, he was known as the man who listens to horses. To me, he was simply Dad, a man of extraordinary kindness, unwavering integrity, and an unshakable belief that trust could accomplish what force never could.
“For more than eight decades, he dedicated his life to changing the way people understand and work with horses. His mission reached far beyond horsemanship.
“He believed that true leadership is built on communication, patience, empathy, and respect; lessons that have touched the lives of countless people around the world.”
In an interview with the Mirror after the late Queen’s death, Mr Roberts opened up about his friendship with her, which included long lunches with the monarch.
He said: “Our lunches together in her palaces were no longer pinch-me moments. I was part of her life, she was part of mine and I don’t think any one of us thought it was strange. My wife Pat and I stayed with her at Buckingham Palace for weeks at a time and she treated us like family.”
In 1996, he says he followed royal orders when the Queen told him: “There must be a book – you have to take your work to the world.” His autobiography, The Man Who Listens to Horses, sold in 41 countries was a best seller for 58 weeks. The Queen clearly appreciated his work, making him a member of the Royal Victorian Order for his services in 2011.
But he told the Mirror it was the small gestures of friendship which he treasured even more than the medals or gifts such as corkscrews saved from the Windsor Castle fire and a lead plaque stamped the royal crest.
He said at the time: “Can you believe the Queen always took my phone calls? Only once I was told she couldn’t speak to me because she was with Northern Ireland’s politicians. Right then I heard, ‘Monty! What are you doing? I’m out of my meeting to talk to you’. I just about fell off my chair.”
Mr Roberts also recalled how he was, fittingly, in a pen with horses on his Santa Ynez Valley farm when he was told the news of the late Queen’s death. He said: “I was working with a very difficult horse. And I watched Pat and my daughter Debbie come together at the top of the fence looking sombre.
“I’d already heard the Queen was under constant care but said to myself, it’ll be OK – she’s gonna come through and she’ll be bouncing around again. “But when I finished working with that horse, they said, ‘Brace yourself. The Queen has died’.
“That moment will never be forgotten by this cowboy. A lot of important people are saying we have to let the Queen go. But I can’t let go.”
He added: “British people might find it hard to believe their Queen enjoyed being with a cowboy. But she did.”
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