On Tuesday, May 16, 2024, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sophie, visited Rutland, participating in a local tradition as part of their trip to England’s smallest county. During their visit, they viewed a new statue of Queen Elizabeth II, recognized as England’s first permanent memorial to the late monarch. Their agenda also included the Rutland Showground, the Duke of Edinburgh Memorial Garden, and Oakham Castle.

At Oakham Castle, Edward and Sophie engaged in a custom requiring them to present a double horseshoe, following a centuries-old practice where first-time visiting peers and Royal Household members must give a horseshoe. This tradition traces back to the Norman Conquest and the Ferrers family, with the horseshoes symbolically ensuring visitors could not depart without settling obligations.

The horseshoes donated over the years, numbering around 250, are exhibited in the Great Hall of Oakham Castle. Many were originally displayed on the castle gates, making them susceptible to theft, while others were repurposed for scrap metal during World War I. This longstanding ritual highlights both the historical and cultural heritage of Rutland.