May 4

The Royal Coronation Coaches

According to the Royal Collection Trust, the Gold State Coach was “designed by William Chambers and made by coach maker Samuel Butler”.  This carriage has been used for every coronation since William IV’s in 1831.

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023

The Royal Coronation Coaches

According to the Royal Collection Trust, the Gold State Coach was “designed by William Chambers and made by coach maker Samuel Butler”.  This carriage has been used for every coronation since William IV’s in 1831.

While it looks like gold, it is actually giftwood, a thin layer of gold leaf as described by the Royal Trust Collection.

It has painted items on it including three cherubs on the roof representing England, Scotland, and Ireland.

oyal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023

Queen Elizabeth II rode in the coach in 1953 at her coronation and again it appeared as part of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in 2022 according to the Royal Trust site.  It is said that Queen Victoria did not care for the coach even though it is the 3rd oldest UK coach behind the Speaker of the House of Common’s coach of 1698  and the Lord Mayor of London’s coach built in 1758.

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023

This coach will carry King Charles and Queen Camilla to and from the ceremony.

See you tomorrow,

Nan