Why Aussie horse trainer won't be attending the Queen's funeral (2024)

Champion horse trainer Chris Waller has been forced to turn down his invitation to fly tothe Queen's funeral with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, after one of his family members was struck down by Covid.

Mr Waller, 49, who is best known for training the recording-breaking mare Winx, was a close friend of Her Majesty and often called her every Saturday to discuss the weekend races.

In a statement posted to social media on Thursday, Mr Waller expressed his heartache about not being able to attend the service atWestminster Abbey in Londonon September 19 (Monday evening AEST).

'It's an honour and I am extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the people of Australia to represent the country in farewelling Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,' he said.

'Unfortunately due to Covid-19 related circ*mstances I am unable to attend the funeral.'

Mr Waller is understood to have voluntarily chosen not to board the jet with Mr Albanese - whose MPs have steadfastly chosen to wear face masks during sessions of Parliament.

Queen Elizabeth II had a passion for thoroughbred horse racing and even had one of her own horses, Chalk Stream, in Mr Waller's stable.

The Sydney-based trainer and his wife Stephanie gave Her Majesty a shoe from Winx's final win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes as a memento at a lunch during Royal Ascot.

Mr Waller became grew 'concerned' when his usual weekly chat with the Queen did not go ahead, just days before she died at Balmoral Castle last, aged 96,The Daily Telegraphreported.

'Like so many others, I will live with and cherish for the rest of my life the fond memories I have of Her Majesty; her love of horses and all animals, her passion for life, and the respect she gave everyday people,' Mr Waller said.

'My deepest condolences go out to the Royal Family and the rest of the world that currently mourn.

'What a great life Her Majesty lived, and what an inspiration she was, and will continue to be, to so many generations around the globe.'

On Thursday MrAlbanesebecame one of the first dignitaries to set off for the funeral.

The PM is bringing with him nine 'everyday' people with him for the emotional service that takes place next week.

They includewheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott, senior Australians of the Year Valmai Dempsy and Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann; Local Heroes Shanna Whan, Saba Abraham, and Kim Smith; Young Australian of the Year Trudy Lin, Western Australian of the Year Helen Milroy, and i4give founder Danny Abdallah.

Mr Albanese also offered a space on his flight to Gai and Robert Waterhouse, champion racing figures who had a personal relationship with The Queen.

The pair were invited to the funeral by Lord Chamberlain Andrew Parker. Another Australian who trained for the Queen, David Hayes, will attend the funeral after travelling from Hong Kong where he is based.

Mr Albanese said earlier this week:'These everyday Australians will travel alongside myself and the Governor-General and will join the Acting High Commissioner Lynn Atwood who is currently located in the United Kingdom.

'We have put together and confirmed all of these people will be able to travel, they will be on the same plane as me that will leave from Sydney on Thursday.

While most nations can send their leader or appointed delegate plus a guest, the Commonwealth realms, which retain the monarch as head of state, are being granted extra representation.

The realms can send prime ministers plus a guest, governors general plus a guest and the high commissioner.

Earlier on Thursday controversial soldier Ben Roberts-Smith flew out of Brisbane for London on a commercial jet, rather than accompany Mr Albanese.

Mr Roberts-Smith, 43, Afghanistan veterans Mark Donaldson and Daniel Keighran, and Vietnam veteran Keith Payne were invited separately by theVictoria Cross and George Cross Association.

The Queen was patron of the association since it began in 1956, and asked before her death that all living members be invited to her funeral.