Is the Gold State Coach made of real gold?
FOR the first time in two decades, the Gold State Coach will be carried out in the streets of London during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
The Queen will not be taking a ride in it, but footage of her coronation will be shown on the windows.
What is the Gold State Coach?
The Gold State Coach is a 260-year-old carriage, built to transport the British monarchs.
It was aimed to be ready by 1971 for King George III’s coronation and wedding day, but they didn’t finish it in time.
So then, it was used for the first time on November 25, 1762, to transport King George III to the Opening of Parliament.
It is a very heavy carriage, and even with eight horses carrying it, it can only move at a walking pace.
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The vehicle designed by Sir William Chambers and built by Samuel Butler is 23 feet long and 12 feet tall.
It is also not very comfortable to travel in.
In BBC One’s documentary, The Coronation, released in 2018, the Queen said that a ride in it is “horrible, it’s not meant for travelling at all… not very comfortable.”
Meanwhile, King William IV described the ride as “tossing in a rough sea” while Queen Victoria expressed her feelings about the “distressing oscillation”, as reported by The Telegraph.
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It had four restorations made throughout the years and it is the third-oldest surviving coach in the UK.
Is the Gold State Coach made from real gold?
The Gold State Coach is made from giltwood, which is solid wood painted in gold leaf.
It has iron wheels, which were then covered with rubber after World War II.
The paintings on the outside of the carriage were painted by Giovanni Battista Cipriani.
The artist painted Roman gods and goddesses to represent human skill and endeavour.
It then has a crown on the roof held up by three cherubs which represent England, Ireland and Scotland.
Above each wheel, there is a triton figure “to represent the spreading of the news of good government”, as explained by the Royal website.
When is the Gold State Coach used?
The Gold State Coach is normally used to transport the monarch unless they refuse in some instances because of its discomfort.
Until Prince Albert’s death in 1861, the carriage was used for coronations and major royal ceremonies.
It was used for the coronation of King George IV in 1821.
After a long absence, it was used once again for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902.
The Queen also rode the coach during her coronation and also used it for her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
Where is the Gold State Coach kept?
The Gold State Coach is displayed at the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Mews takes care of all the road travel arrangements for the Queen and the royal family members.
You can visit it yourself and have a closer look at the prestigious carriage.
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What other royal carriages are there?
The Gold State Coach is not the only carriage you’ll get to see in the Royal Mews.
There are also other coaches such as:
- The Irish State Coach
- The Scottish State Coach
- The Australian State Coach
- The Diamond Jubilee State Coach
- Queen Alexandra’s State Coach
- The Glass Coach
- King Edward VII’s Town Coach