Royal duties keep soldier away on Mother's Day - again

Trooper Joshua Sale is on guard in Windsor on this special day, but didn’t want his mum to miss out and so arranged for her gifts to be delivered to her.

The 23-year-old was unable to celebrate Mother’s Day at home last year because he was preparing for the Richmond Cup, a competition that sees the finest of the Household Cavalry competing to be the best Cavalryman.

Trooper Sale said: “Last year I missed Mother’s Day because I was getting ready for the Richmond Cup where I was part of the top eight that went on to meet Her Majesty The Queen. As one of the winners I was on the front row of the Queen’s Birthday Parade, fortunately my mum understood.

“This year I’ve got my mum a personalised present with a picture of us both and a card with my daughter’s footprints on it. My mum is really proud that I’m in the Army. When I first said I was joining up she was in two minds and was a little scared, but now she has a better understanding of what I do she loves it.”

Trooper Sale, who joined the Kings Royal Hussars four years ago before transferring to the Household Cavalry Regiment, has also ensured his daughter Aalayah, two, has a Mother’s Day present to give to her mum.

He added: “There’s no way I could have forgotten Mother’s Day, my mum called a few times to tell me not to forget to get a present for Aalayah’s mum and warned me not to leave buying a gift to the last minute!”