“HER FAMILY RECEIVED WHAT SHE WOULD NEVER WEAR AGAIN…” Hundreds gathered at the Royal Windsor Horse Show funeral to honor Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, the 24-year-old soldier whose tragic fall devastated friends, colleagues, and the equestrian community. Remembered for her infectious energy, warmth, and unwavering dedication to the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, Ciara’s life was celebrated with military precision and heartfelt tributes. Yet it was a single, haunting moment that left everyone in tears: as the final gun salute rang out, her military cap and medals were solemnly handed back to her grieving family — symbols of a life of service cut far too short. In that instant, mourners were reminded that beneath the uniform was a beloved daughter, a devoted friend, and a colleague whose memory will live on. Watch the poignant funeral moments that have moved thousands across Britain.
The funeral has taken place for the soldier who died after falling from her horse at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Family, friends, regimental senior staff and military colleagues filled The Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks, in central London, to pay their respects to Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan.
The 24-year-old, who was part of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, suffered serious injuries after falling on May 15 at around 7pm after exiting the arena. She died at the scene.
State trumpeters from The Band of the Household Cavalry played fanfares as the coffin, draped in the Union flag, arrived.
Her coffin travelled by gun carriage from The Royal Mews to The Guards’ Chapel.
A three-round volley was also fired in Wellington Barracks, after which L/Bdr Sullivan’s personal items, including her cap and medals, were presented to her family.
L/Bdr Sullivan’s horse carried her riding boots reversed in its stirrups, as a traditional military mark of respect signalling her final journey.
And flags flew at half-mast at all Army buildings in London in her honour.
Floral tributes spelled out “Sully”, the name she was called by friends, and were surrounded by photographs of her in uniform riding her horse.
She was deployed at the late Queen’s state funeral in 2022 and the coronation of Charles and Camilla the following year.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said previously that the King was “greatly shocked and saddened” to learn of L/Bdr Sullivan’s death and that he would be in touch with her family to share his condolences.
L/Bdr Sullivan, who was said to love horses and have a natural affinity for them, was remembered previously by her commanding officer as an “exceptional jockey” with an “infectious energy”.
Her commanding officer said in a tribute issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD): “Lance Bombardier (L/Bdr) Ciara Sullivan, ‘Sully’ to her friends, was to all who had the privilege of serving alongside her, a bright light in any room she entered.
“An immensely professional soldier and an exceptional jockey, she approached every day within The Troop with an infectious energy — the kind that lifted those around her without effort or intention — and was unfailingly present for her comrades in both the small moments and the hard ones.”
Charles and members of the royal family were present at the arena at the time the incident took place but were not made aware of the severity of the situation until later, the Buckingham Palace spokesman said.
L/Bdr Sullivan joined the Army Training Centre in Pirbright, near Woking, Surrey, in November 2020 and entered the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery in June 2021.
The soldier had been involved in ceremonial operations with the troop including multiple Royal Gun Salutes in Hyde Park and Green Park, both in London.
She had recently qualified as an advanced regimental riding instructor and enjoyed working on developing young horses and training military ones, the MoD had said.
L/Bdr Sullivan offered riding lessons to the mounted gunners in her sub-section and was often nominated to instruct officers in the King’s Troop, it added.
The MoD had said: “She was passionate about everything to do with The Troop and participated in every extra activity available, including show jumping and The Troop Race.”
