- By Sean Coughlan
- Royal Correspondent
1 hour ago
Image source, Getty Images
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The Diamond Jubilee State Coach, seen in 2019, is used by the King for the trip to the coronation
The King and Queen Consort will travel to the coronation at Westminster Abbey in a more comfortable, relatively modern horse-drawn carriage.
They will ride in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which was first used in 2014, in plans unveiled by Buckingham Palace.
But they will return to the palace in the traditional – but notoriously uncomfortable – golden state carriage used at every coronation since the 1830s.
Crowds can watch the procession along The Mall and Whitehall in London.
The carriage train is one of the spectacular sights of the coronation on May 6th.
It will leave the gates of Buckingham Palace, carrying the royal couple and other members of the royal family to travel to Westminster Abbey, where the coronation service will begin at 11:00am BST.
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The traditional Gold State Coach is used on the way back to Buckingham Palace
But instead of the Gold State Coach, the King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will be seated in the newest of the royal carriages, the Australian-built Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
This looks traditional but is actually modern, with air conditioning, power windows and contemporary suspension.
“It’s aluminium, which is quite unusual as most are wooden, and it also has hydraulic suspension, which means the ride is incredibly comfortable,” says Sally Goodsir, curator of the Royal Collection Trust.
Image source, Duncan Stone
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Matthew Power, head coachman, says that with all the crowds he has to keep the horses calm
It contains pieces of wood from historic ships and buildings including HMS Victory, the Mary Rose, Balmoral Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
Up close, the carriages at the Royal Mews are an explosion of gold, glass and polish. They are basically crowns on wheels.
But the royal couple is spared a bumpy ride on the way to the abbey. Reminiscing about her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth described the ride in the 18th-century golden state carriage as “terrible” and “not very comfortable”.
One of her predecessors, William IV, who was crowned in 1831, described his journey in the carriage as a journey on a ship “in rough seas”.
Image source, Duncan Stone
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The Diamond Jubilee State Coach will be a comfortable ride, says Sally Goodsir, curator at the Royal Collection Trust
Buckingham Palace has not commented on the reasons for the move.
But while the Golden State Coach has its drawbacks, it is a remarkable piece of craftsmanship, with intricate carvings under a thin layer of gold and painted panels. It may be uncomfortable, but it’s a rolling work of art.
The four-ton carriage will be accompanied by Martin Oates, who will brake the carriage on Coronation Day.
He follows his great-grandfather, who attended the carriage procession for the coronation of George VI, his grandfather, who attended the coronation of Elizabeth II, and his father, who attended the late Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.
“As you walk down The Mall, think of all the family members who have been a part of it,” Mr Oates said in a speech at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, where the carriages are kept.
Image source, Duncan Stone
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Martin Oates’ family has been working on coronations for four generations
Head coachman Matthew Power said an event like this “raised the hair on the back of the neck” but it was important to remain calm and to keep the horses from getting nervous.
“The horses know it’s going to be a big day and you have to stay calm and say it’s just another day at the office,” Mr Power said.
The procession goes from Buckingham Palace along the Mall to Trafalgar Square, along Whitehall to Parliament Square and then to Westminster Abbey. The return trip is on the same route in the opposite direction.
The coronation ceremony uses the traditional regalia such as symbolic rings and swords, as well as the crowns, including the St. Edward’s crown, which is placed on the king.
Among the scepters used is a 17th-century ivory one, after speculation it might be withdrawn for animal welfare reasons.
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This spoon is the oldest surviving piece of the original medieval coronation regalia
The oldest item used will be a spoon containing the oil for the anointing at the coronation. This spoon, possibly 12th century, is a rarely preserved part of the original medieval coronation regalia, most of which were destroyed after the English Civil War in the 17th century.
Among the more than 2,000 guests expected at the Abbey are 450 representatives from charity and community groups, who will be alongside world leaders, politicians and royalty.
There have been complaints about the cost of coronations of anti-monarchy activists. As for public spending, the government will only release a figure after the event.
When the procession returns to Buckingham Palace, the newly crowned Charles and Camilla will appear on the balcony along with other senior members of the royal family.
Last year, for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, only working royals were allowed onto the balcony, with the exception of Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, who had stepped down from royal duties.
And to prove that this is a 21st century crowning glory, a special emoji was even created for the occasion.
Image source, Buckingham Palace