As Britain’s longest serving military horse, Viscount has spent two decades faithfully carrying royalty and senior officers in a distinguished career.

Now, his steadfast service to his country has been rewarded as he steps out into a life of luxury in the Chiltern countryside after retiring from duties with the Household Calvary after nearly 22 years of service.

Viscount, a 17 hands-high black gelding has retired into a life of luxury after a glittering career which saw him carry senior officers, royalty and Lance Corporal Richard Jones, winner of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.

The Irish Sports Horse has now retired to the beautiful Chiltern countryside at the Horse Trust after his steadfast service to his country.

Jeanette Allen, chief executive of the Horse Trust, said: ‘He is a grand old man and is starting to turn grey but he still thinks he is five years old. He loves being out in the field with his friends and everyone on the yard loves him.’

Viscount completed his military training at just five years old before passing out as a military horse in 1997 and went onto to become part of the Queen’s Life Guard and later the mount of royalty on ceremonial parades.

Due to his calm disposition, Viscount had several different roles throughout his career, from carrying senior officers to being a mount for royalty on ceremonial parades.

In his final four years of service, the noble steed carried musicians from The Band of the Household Cavalry, including Lance Corporal Jones, the 2016 winner of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.

L/Cpl Jones took to his Facebook page to wish his faithful friend a happy retirement and thanked him for looking after him on parades.

The post read: ‘Very proud of my favourite horse today retiring from public service in the Household Cavalry after 21 years. Always kept me safe on parade – enjoy your retirement, Viscount.’

Viscount was also lucky enough to be retired to the trust with a familiar friend, Vain Glory, who passed out the very same year as Viscount and was also part of the musical ride, as the lead horse, carrying the musical director.

The loyal mount was retired to the Horse Trust in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, and was given a shower by the equine care time before being released in the fields.

Ms Allen said: ‘The Horse Trust is extremely proud of our relationship with the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and providing horses like Viscount with a home in their retirement after a lifetime of public service is our privilege.

‘With the help of our donors, we are able to provide these hard-working equine civil servants the opportunity to relax and enjoy their twilight years just being a horse in the beautiful surroundings of the Chiltern Hills.’