![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/05\/Screenshot-2022-05-26-at-16.26.53-b0609ff.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C262"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nBehind the curtain of ceremony, I\u2019ve been lucky enough to experience the Royal Family\u2019s passion for animals first-hand. I remember my very first meeting with the Queen; as soon as we got on to the subject of my Blue Peter<\/em> dog Meg, and the fact that I grew up on a farm, the tone of our encounter changed sharpish. The Queen was fascinated to hear how, as a working sheep-dog, Meg coped with the Blue Peter<\/em> studio. Our monarch just got it and understood my challenges dealing with Meg\u2019s herding instincts.<\/p>\n Seeing that recent photo of the Queen took me back to 2018 and the lawns of Windsor Castle, where I took another of the Queen\u2019s fell ponies, Emma, for a walk in the grounds. A highlight for me was mucking out her stable \u2013 the ultimate claim to fame for someone who loves a pitchfork as much as I do.<\/p>\n Back in the day, after work and between Blue Peter<\/em> shoots, I used to go to help exercise the Household Cavalry horses in Hyde Park and ride out with the King\u2019s Troop on exercise, practising for the ceremonial gun salutes. I also went carriage driving with the late Prince Philip\u2019s team of horses, and sensed his passion for the sport and experienced the power of his animals. I have also filmed with the Prince of Wales on Home Farm. Again, we had a passionate conversation about heritage farm-animal breeds, which led to me buying some of His Royal Highness\u2019s Hebridean sheep<\/a>. They are still going strong in our flock to this day.<\/p>\n You may also like:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> What I love about conversation like this is how it leads to fascinating insights into the type of animals people are fond of. During a filming trip to Sandringham<\/a>, I was surprised to discover the Queen\u2019s passion for pigeons<\/a> when I was fortunate enough to visit the royal pigeon loft. Her Majesty is patron of quite a few pigeon-racing societies, including the Royal Pigeon Racing Association<\/a> and the National Flying Club<\/a>.<\/p>\n In fact, I loved that loft so much that I have since built a similar walk-in design of indoor pens for our chickens on the farm. Which, if I ever get the chance to meet the Queen again, I will tell her about \u2013 and we can pick up where we left off, talking about the animals!<\/p>\n![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/05\/ben-fogle-matt-baker-blue-peter-crufts-37f631c.jpg?quality=90&resize=320%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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