Queen Elizabeth rode in an iconic carriage used for every coronation since the 1800s, but will Charles? (Picture: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
After months of planning and speculation as to who might be coming to the Coronation of King Charles III today, plus the introduction of truly historical artefacts like a Stone of Destiny and having the crown resized, it is nearly time for the big event.
The full order of things means that our first sighting will be as he makes his way to Westminster Abbey in one of the famous state coaches.
But is this the same coach Queen Elizabeth II would’ve rode in for her coronation back in 1953?
Let’s look into more detail at the two state coaches you’ll see during the processions today…
What is the Diamond Jubilee State Coach?
Later this morning, Charles and Camilla will leave Buckingham Palace in the first of two coaches to be used today, the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
This is one coach the late Queen Elizabeth wouldn’t have used at her coronation, as it was only made in 2012 to celebrate Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne.
Pulled by six Windsor Grey horses, the coach will travel towards Westminster Abbey where the ceremony begins at 11am.
The Diamond Jubilee State Coach was built in 2010, but sent to the UK in 2014 (Picture: ISABEL INFANTES / AFP)
This procession will take the monarchs through Buckingham Palace’s Centre Gate, down The Mall, passing through Admiralty Arch, down Whitehall and through Parliament Street. From here, the procession will travel around Parliament Square to Broad Sanctuary, before arriving at the Sanctuary of Westminster Abbey.
The coach was made to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, and was first used at the State Opening of Parliament on June 4, 2014.
The coach is over five metres long and weighs over three tonnes, and it is prevented from swaying by six hydraulic stabilisers.
What is the Diamond Jubilee State Coach made of?
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The coach is a tapestry of rich British history, having been made using a number of items from historic sites, including carved from oak from HMS Victory, seat handrails from the Royal Yacht Britannia and window frames and interior panels from Caernarfon Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and 10 Downing Street.
The State Coach is a bit of a mystery, with no clear indication of how much it’s worth or who commissioned it (Picture: ISABEL INFANTES / AFP)
Other timber and elements are taken from the likes of The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, Henry VIII’s flagship the Mary Rose, the Mayflower, Balmoral Castle, Blenheim Palace and Windsor Castle.
Who made the Diamond Jubilee State Coach?
There’s something of a mystery about the origins, for it was only officially added to the royal collection after it had already been made, so nobody knows who really commissioned it.
The coach was built in Australia by W. J. Frecklington, previously responsible for making the 1988 Australian State Coach. According to various sources, Frecklington said that the coach was endorsed but not commissioned by Buckingham Palace.
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The Palace initially maintained that the Diamond Jubilee Coach was not an official royal coach, however, it was later purchased by the Royal Collection Trust (for an undisclosed sum) and has been used on several official occasions since.
What is the Gold State Coach?
Starting off in style and comfort but opting for tradition later on, once Charles and Camilla have been officially crowned, they’ll leave Westminster Abbey and begin the Coronation Procession in the historic Gold State Coach.
This has been used for every coronation since the 1800s, but it’s famously not a smooth ride.
The Gold State Coach is more historically important, but less comfortable (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Who made the Gold State Coach?
The Gold State Coach was designed by William Chambers and made by coach-maker Samuel Butler.
It’s the third oldest surviving coach in the United Kingdom – the oldest being The Speaker’s State Coach followed by the Lord Mayor’s Coach – and dates back to 1760.
It was first used by King George III to travel to the State Opening of Parliament in 1762, and, until later today, was last used by Queen Elizabeth II to mark her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
What is the Gold State Coach made from?
Despite the name implying it’s a solid gold coach, it isn’t. The Gold State Coach is actually made from wood that has been covered with a thin gold coating.
Inside, the coach is lined and upholstered with velvet and satin, and features elaborately painted panels of Roman deities, along with three cherubs on the roof.
Back in the 1700s when it was first built, the Gold State Coach cost £7562, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica, which is thought to be around £2 million today.
Despite this, it’s not truly fit for purpose, according to the woman who rode it in most frequently.
In a documentary interview in 2018, Queen Elizabeth II reflected on her coronation journey in the coach, describing it as ‘horrible.’ Other ways of describing the carriage included, ‘Not very comfortable… It’s not meant for travelling in at all.’
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The coronation will have something old and something new, compared to Queen Elizabeth II’s