The Only Person Queen Elizabeth Would Answer Anytime
The Queen and the Cowboy: A Surprising Friendship Built on Horses
How a California Horse Trainer Became One of Queen Elizabeth’s Closest Friends
Important Point: Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t just a monarch who liked horses—she was a true horse expert who could talk about them for hours. This passion led to an unlikely 33-year friendship with a cowboy from California named Monty Roberts.
Who Was Monty Roberts?
Monty Roberts was a famous horse trainer from California known as "The Man Who Listens to Horses." Unlike old-school cowboys who used force to "break" horses, Monty developed gentle, non-violent training methods based on understanding horse psychology.
- Born: 1935 in California
- Specialty: Natural horsemanship (training without violence)
- Famous for: Writing bestselling books and touring the world teaching his methods
- Passed away: July 31, 2024, at age 91
How They Met: A Royal Invitation
The Beginning (1989)
- Queen Elizabeth heard about Monty’s gentle methods
- She invited him to the U.K. to demonstrate his techniques
- They instantly connected over their shared love of horses
- This started a 33-year friendship with hundreds of phone calls
Important Point: The Queen rarely gave her personal time to outsiders. Monty became one of the very few people she would interrupt important meetings for!
The Funny "Escape" Story
Monty shared this hilarious story in a 2023 interview:
What Happened:
- Monty called Buckingham Palace wanting to chat with the Queen
- A staff member answered: "One moment please – the Queen is stuck in a meeting with the political people of Northern Ireland."
- Monty said: "I’ll call back tomorrow afternoon."
- Suddenly the Queen’s voice came on: "Monty, how are you?"
- Monty reminded her: "Your Majesty, they told me you’re in a meeting!"
- She laughed and admitted: "I am in a meeting in Northern Ireland and was hoping for a way to get out of that meeting so now I’m in another room talking to you."
Fun Fact: Monty said, "That was as close as I ever came to missing a call from her in 33 years!"
Why the Queen Loved Monty’s Methods
The Secret: "You Cannot Fool a Horse"
Monty explained their bond perfectly:
"I helped her learn how to read that personality that horses have and do the things that cause them to be friendly with you and not a flight animal. You cannot fool a horse. She believed me and my God, I would take a bullet before I would deceive her in any way."
What Made His Training Special:
- No whips, no force, no fear
- Based on horse body language (what Monty called "Equus")
- Building trust instead of dominance
- Works with the horse’s natural instincts
The Queen’s Support Changed Everything
She Became His Biggest Cheerleader:
- Encouraged him to write a book (which became a bestseller)
- Told him: "I want you to go to every country possible. I want the world to know what you’re doing."
- Arranged for him to train royal horses at Windsor Castle
- Introduced him to the Queen Mother (her mother)
The Queen Mother’s Reaction:
When Monty first worked with young horses at Windsor Castle:
"Queen Elizabeth’s mother came up to me with tears in her eyes. She said that was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life."
Why This Friendship Mattered
| For the Queen | For Monty | For Horses Everywhere |
|---|---|---|
| A genuine friend who treated her normally | Royal endorsement of his life’s work | Gentle training methods spread worldwide |
| Someone to talk "horse talk" with anytime | Platform to reach global audience | Millions of horses trained without violence |
| Escape from boring political meetings! | Validation from the world’s most famous horse lover | Changed how people understand horses |
Summary
Queen Elizabeth II and Monty Roberts proved that shared passion knows no boundaries. A Queen and a cowboy—worlds apart in title and upbringing—became dear friends for 33 years because they both spoke the same language: the language of horses.
Their friendship:
- Lasted over three decades
- Included hundreds of personal phone calls
- Had hilarious moments (like the "meeting escape")
- Changed horse training worldwide
- Was built on mutual respect, trust, and love for animals
Monty Roberts passed away in July 2024 at age 91, but his legacy—and his special bond with the late Queen—lives on in every horse trained with kindness instead of force.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Was Monty Roberts actually a cowboy?
Yes! He grew up in California on a ranch, rode in rodeos, and worked with horses his whole life. But he became famous for changing how cowboys train horses—using psychology instead of force.
Did the Queen really take his calls during important meetings?
Absolutely. Monty was one of the very few people the Queen would interrupt official business for. The Northern Ireland meeting story proves it—she literally used his call as an excuse to step out!
What is "natural horsemanship"?
It’s training horses by understanding their natural behavior and communication (body language, herd instincts) rather than using pain, fear, or dominance. Monty Roberts is one of its most famous pioneers.
Did Monty train the Queen’s personal horses?
Yes! He worked with young horses at the Royal Mews (the royal stables) and at Windsor Castle. The Queen Mother was moved to tears watching his gentle methods with the royal horses.
Why did the Queen love horses so much?
She got her first pony at age 4 and never stopped riding. Horses were her greatest passion and relaxation—the one place where she could just be "Elizabeth" instead of "The Queen." She bred racehorses, rode for pleasure, and knew more about horses than most experts.
Article based on Monty Roberts’ 2023 interview with the New York Post and historical records of his friendship with Queen Elizabeth II.
