Since a child, Queen Elizabeth II has always loved horseback riding. In fact, she has shown no signs of slowing down in the past couple of years.

Her daughter, Princess Anne, was able to establish an equestrian career. Her granddaughter, Zara Phillips, is a medal-winning British event rider, and her grandsons Princes William and Harry are great polo players.

However, one member of the royal family isn't a fan of horses.

"Kate Middleton doesn't ride, purely because didn't do it growing up," said Marcia Moody, author of "Kate: A Biography."

"William and Harry were taught from an early age, but the only time they ride now is for polo -- they don't go off on hacks like the queen always has."

Despite the lack of interest, there's also one more reason for Kate's apprehension to watch events that involves horses.

Being one of the most senior members of the family, the Duchess of Cambridge's allergy to horses stops her in taking part in a prevalent royal tradition. In and out of royal circles, being with horses is something she always feels uncomfortable at.

Her supposed allergy and lack of riding experience, though, haven't stopped her from wanting to learn. During a 2012 reception, the Duchess talked to Paralympic medalist Lee Pearson at Buckingham Palace.

Pearson told the Daily Telegraph that Kate has been learning to ride, so he offered her some lessons.

"She held some of my medals and said how heavy they were and asked me if I'd been riding all my life," Pearson said.

The Paralympian said he even gave Kate some advice after the Countess of Wessex told him that the Duchess was actually allergic to horses. Pearson confessed to Kate that he is also allergic to horses, but "antihistamines are wonderful."

Royal Riding

It was revealed that Prince George and Princess Charlotte would be following in their royal relatives' footsteps by taking up horse riding lessons, courtesy of their aunt, Zara.

Princess Charlotte, specifically, is extremely excited about learning to ride horses, and she could well be the third generation of royalty in a row to represent the U.K. at the Olympics.

Paralympic rider Natasha Baker was able to meet the Duchess last year, and she told Horse and Hound Magazine that "Kate emphasized that Charlotte has this passion about horses and although she doesn't echo it, she'll do her best to champion and encourage it."

It seems Kate will have to learn to be around horses a lot more with this!

On the other hand, Meghan Markle loves horses. Photos of the Duchess of Sussex surfaced when she was only 12 years old, enjoying a horse ride through the California countryside with her father, Thomas.

Tags
Kate Middleton, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Royal family