The Master of the Horse is historically the third Great Officer of the Household, ranking after the Lord Steward and the Lord Chamberlain. In the feudal hierarchy, the role was of paramount military and civil importance, as the Master was entrusted with the King's 'remounts' and the maintenance of the infrastructure required for both warfare and royal travel. By the Tudor and Stuart eras, the office became a highly sought-after political appointment, usually held by a peer of the realm and a Knight of the Garter, reflecting the symbolic prestige of the horse in chivalric culture.
Today, the role is largely ceremonial but remains visible during major state occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament or Trooping the Colour. The Master technically oversees the Crown Equerry and the Royal Mews, ensuring the precision of the carriages and the liveried staff. In heraldic and courtly terms, the Master of the Horse is the only officer permitted to ride in close proximity to the Sovereign during processions, a vestige of the era when they were responsible for the King’s physical safety in the field.