The Royal Mews coach collection

I had the privilege of attending this year’s ‘Military Musical Spectacular’ concert and parade at Horse Guards Parade, otherwise known as ‘Beating Retreat’ on 16th July as a guest of the Household Cavalry Foundation. The premium seats and subsequent Garrick Club supper were a lucky prize draw win at a fundraising concert last autumn.

Apart from the spectacular display of military precision, the music presented was a varied and splendid selection of modern, popular and traditional selections. The surprise of the evening, and the relevancy of this article, was the magnificent parade of Royal Mews coaches rolled out for a lap of honour during the evening, with some of its prized and unique carriages on display.

Charabanc carriage

The horse drawn Charabanc (French ‘char-à-banc’) displayed was a gift from King Louis-Philippe of France to Queen Victoria when he made a return visit to Windsor in October 1844. This type of carriage, pronounced ‘sharra-bang’ and meaning ‘carriage with benches’, was a horse drawn vehicle usually open topped and common in Britain during the early part of the 20th century. It was ideal for social and work group outings and the forward-facing benches would hold up to 10 passengers. The example preserved at the Royal Mews was the first version to appear in Britain. Such carriages were soon replaced by open top motorised charabancs and then later motor coaches. Note the Bimini style top.

Irish State Coach

The magnificent Irish State Coach is pulled by a positioned team of four bay horses. The Irish State Coach is an enclosed, four-horse-drawn carriage used by the royal family. It is the traditional coach in which the monarch travels from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster to formally open the new legislative session of Parliament.

It was built in 1851 by John Hutton of Dublin, who then became warrant holder to Queen Victoria. It was severely damaged by fire in 1911 but was rebuilt in 1989 by Barkers of London, which later built bodies for Rolls-Royce and Bentley, and were eventually acquired by Hoopers. The carriage was repainted more recently at the Royal Mews – the exterior is blue and black with golden-coloured decoration, and the interior is covered in blue damask cloth. It is preserved at the Mews on public display.

Queen Alexandra’s State Coach

This is one of several state carriages maintained at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. It was built around the year 1865, initially as a plain town coach. Some 30 years later it was glazed and converted into a state coach for the use of then Princess of Wales (later Queen) Alexandra.

It is usually driven four-in-hand by a coachman. Like all the state coaches it has a variety of uses, but perhaps its best-known regular duty is to convey the Imperial State Crown, together with the Sword of State, the Cap of Maintenance and their respective bearers, to and from the Palace of Westminster for the annual State Opening of Parliament. In this instance it is always accompanied by The King’s Bargemaster and Watermen acting as footmen.

Diamond Jubilee State Coach

Initially known as the State Coach Britannia, it is an enclosed six-horse-drawn carriage that was made to commemorate HM Queen Elizabeth II’s 80th birthday, but completion was delayed for nearly eight years and eventually it became a commemoration for HM the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The coach was used for the first time at the State Opening of Parliament on 4th June 2014. It has been in regular service since, and is also housed in the Royal Mews along with other state coaches. The coach was used to carry King Charles III and Queen Camilla from Buckingham Palace to their coronation at Westminster Abbey. The carriage was built in Australia by coachbuilder WJ Frecklington, who previously built the Australian State Coach.

Ascot Landau

The Royal Mews describes the Ascot Landau as a wonderfully bright, small, lovely carriage, very easy for people to see – the passengers can sit up quite high, so there’s lots of visibility for everybody. The carriage displayed is one of five Landaus kept by the Royal Mews, and are used every year for the monarch’s procession during the royal meeting at Ascot.

Ascot Landaus featured in the carriage procession for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011. They carried Prince Harry, the best man, the maid of honour, bridesmaids and page boys from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

I am grateful to the Renter Warden, Mark Broadbent, our very own carriage expert for guidance with this article.