The Queen reveals the ‘most ghastly day’ of her life — and it’s heartbreaking

SHE’S endured world wars, abdications and family tragedies, but Queen Elizabeth has revealed there’s one day that still haunts her.

THE Queen has lived through some shocking events during her 66-year reign.

But now the worst day of her life has been revealed, and it’s absolutely heartbreaking.

Her Majesty, 92, described the IRA’s 1982 attack on London — the Hyde Park bombings — as “the most ghastly day of my life”, according to Andrew Parker Bowles.

Some 11 soldiers and seven horses were killed by the blasts, which were set off in Hyde Park and Regent’s Park on July 20.

Scene of the 1982 IRA terrorist bombing in Hyde Park. Picture: Supplied

Brigadier Parker Bowles, 78, whose ex wife Camilla is married to Prince Charles, was leading the Household Cavalry on the day.

He told The Express: “It was a nice, sunny day and suddenly one heard this explosion one heard all the time in Northern Ireland.

“One of the barriers opened and someone said, ‘They’ve blown up the Guard’. So we ran down to where the smoke was rising.

“The first horse I saw was Sefton. He had a bloody great hole in him but he managed to pull through.”

Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles with wife Rosemary in 1997. Picture: AFP

Later that day, Andrew spoke to The Queen, and revealed: “She said to me it was ‘The most ghastly day of my life’.”

Two blasts ripped through central London on the day.

The first was a nail bomb which exploded from the boot of a Morris Marina car in Hyde Park, ripping through a troop of soldiers leaving the Knightsbridge Barracks.

Queen Elizabeth II has seen her fair share of tragedies throughout her 66 year reign. Picture: Supplied

Four soldiers were killed, and seven horses died or had to be put down. The horse Andrew mentions, Sefton, survived with terrible injuries.

A second bomb exploded under the bandstand at Regent’s Park two hours later — killing seven of 30 military bandsmen, and injuring the rest.

At least eight civilians were also injured.

Gilbert McNamee was jailed for 25 years for making the Hyde Park bomb in 1987, but was released after 12 years under the Good Friday Agreement.

In 2013, IRA member John Downey was charged with four counts of murder in relation to the same bombing — but the trial collapsed.

No-one has ever been charged in connection with the Regent’s Park attack.

This article was originally published in The Sun and has been reproduced here with permission.

Originally published as The Queen reveals the ‘most ghastly day’ of her life — and it’s heartbreaking