The Queen is the longest-lived and the longest-reigning monarch in British history as well as the first to celebrate a platinum jubilee.

The milestone is being marked with Trooping the Colour on Horse Guard’s Parade, royal gun salutes, a service of Thanksgiving in St Paul’s Cathedral and a Jubilee Pageant with the Gold State Carriage led by the Sovereign’s Escort.

For more than 70 years Her Majesty has been at the centre of ceremonial life, and images of her wearing the royal robes and the Imperial State Crown are seared into our collective memory. But there’s another side to the life of Elizabeth II, far away from Buckingham Palace, bugles and military bands.

The Queen is a farmer, landowner and countrywoman, said to never be happier than when she’s out in the countryside in the company of her dogs, horses and livestock. Privately her passions are her corgis and dorgis (corgi-dachshund crosses), Shire horses, rare breed fell ponies, her string of racehorses, the running of the royal farms and her livestock which includes three historic native cattle breeds; the Jersey, Highland and Sussex.

In this edition of Farming Today, Vernon Harwood is in Windsor, in the shadow of the world famous castle, to consider the monarch’s place in the rural life of the nation, and learn about the support she gives to individuals and organisations in the countryside.

Produced and presented by Vernon Harwood for BBC Audio Wales and West of England.

Archive Material:

The Golden Jubilee Tour, BBC Radio Four Six O’Clock News – 2nd May 2002

Interview with the Queen’s Pigeon Racing Manager Len Rush, BBC Radio Four – 4th January 1984

Her Majesty’s Address to the National Federation of Women’s Institutes – 7th June 1990

The Royal Ascot Gold Cup, BBC Radio Five Live – 20th June 2013

Interview with racehorse trainer Ian Balding – 1st January 1977