What will happen to Queen Elizabeth's horses now?

Britain's longest-reigning monarch had a lifelong love of her steeds

Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire in May 2011. The queen, who had a lifelong passion for horses, was a keen racegoer as well as a successful owner and breeder who enjoyed many notable triumphs. AFP

An undated photo of Princess Elizabeth at Sandringham. AFP

The queen in May 2013 with Harlequin on a visit to the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery at Woolwich Barracks in south-east London. AFP

A young Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles in the park at Windsor Castle. AFP

Queen Elizabeth in May 2020 rides Balmoral Fern, a 14-year-old fell pony, in Windsor Home Park. AFP

Queen Elizabeth at Ascot in an event reserved for guests of Windsor Castle, June 1961. AFP

Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Horse Show in Windsor, Berkshire in May 2008. Horses, like dogs, were the queen's lifelong love and she had an incredible knowledge of breeding and bloodlines. Whether it was racing thoroughbreds or ponies, she showed an unfailing interest. PA Photo

Former US president Ronald Reagan with Queen Elizabeth in Windsor Home Park while staying as a guest of the queen. PA Photo

Queen Elizabeth and her daughter Anne, the Princess Royal, near Windsor Castle where members of the royal family had gathered to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who died in 2002. PA Photo

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, left, with a Lippizaner at the stables of the Lipica Stud during their state visit to Slovenia in January 2008. PA

Queen Elizabeth on the racecourse before the opening of the third day of the Royal Ascot meeting, where she took part in an unofficial 'race' and finished fourth to other members of her party of seven. June 1960. PA

Queen Elizabeth in Hyde Park, London, during a visit in 1970 to mark the 70th anniversary of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. PA

Queen Elizabeth during a Trooping of the Colour ceremony at Horse Guard's Parade, London, June 1952. AFP

Queen Elizabeth arriving in Hyde Park in London to mark the 70th anniversary of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in October 2017. PA

Queen Elizabeth riding side-saddle as she returns to Buckingham Palace, London, after attending the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Horse Guards Parade in June 1993. PA

Queen Elizabeth II's love of dogs and horses is well documented, and many have been wondering what will happen to her animals now that she's gone.

Britain's longest-reigning monarch died on Thursday, aged 96, with her family at her side at Balmoral Castle.

Her death signalled the start of a huge shift for the British royal family, with King Charles III officially succeeding his mother after the Accession Council formalised his role on Saturday. Prince William also becomes heir apparent.

There will also be big changes in the stables at each of the queen's royal residences, where her more than 100 horses reside. This includes two she was recently given during the platinum jubilee by France President Emmanuel Macron and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev.

The queen gained an interest in horse breeding and racing stock from her father, King George VI.

Her first riding lesson was reportedly taken at age 3 at the private riding school in Buckingham Palace Mews.

She was 4 when her grandfather, King George V, gave her a Shetland pony called Peggy, and went on to own dozens of horses over the years, now with an estimated stable of more than 100.

She was a keen rider, owner and breeder, and a regular at British horse racing events including Royal Ascot, the Epsom Derby and the Grand National.

In 2013, she became the first reigning British monarch to win the Royal Ascot Gold Cup with her horse Estimate. Overall, she is said to have earned about $9 million in prize money through her steeds over the decades.

Royal biographer Claudia Joseph said the horses are expected to stay within the family. "It is likely that the queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, and her daughter, Zara [Tindall], who were both Olympic equestrians and well-known horse lovers, are likely to be involved in what happens next to the queen’s animals," Joseph told the New York Post.

During her life, the queen has also had more than 30 dogs — many of them corgis.

Buckingham Palace is yet to confirm what will happen to her two corgis, corgi-dachshund cross (known as a dorgi) and cocker spaniel — named Candy, Lissy, Muick and Sandy — but it’s safe to expect they will be rehomed within the extended family or by royal household staff.