What is the Diamond Jubilee state coach?
THE King’s coronation is just around the corner and has taken quite some organising.
All of those involved in the main ceremony will be arriving in style.
What is the Diamond Jubilee state coach?
The Diamond Jubilee state coach is the most modern of the royal carriages.
It is made from aluminium and has a suspension system, electric windows and air conditioning.
The coach was originally meant to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 80th birthday, but its construction was delayed.
Instead it was made to mark 60 years of her reign in 2012.
The newest coach was used during the State Opening of Parliament in 2014.
The coach is more than 16 feet (five metres) long and weighs more than three tons, needing six horses to pull it.
How is the Diamond Jubilee state coach different to the Gold state coach?
The Gold state coach is much older and slightly larger than the Diamond Jubilee state coach.
Before her death in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II branded the coach as “horrible”.
The carriage is 23 feet long (seven metres) and weighs almost four tons and is pulled by eight horses.
But, being 260 years old, she said it’s “not very comfortable”.
Speaking about the coach in 2018, the Queen said: “Horrible. Not meant for travelling in at all.
“I mean it’s just not… it’s only sprung on leather.”
She talked about how, at her coronation in 1953, they travelled “half way around London” in the carriage during the royal procession, moving around five miles at a walking pace.
Due to being so old and heavy, the carriage only ever travels at walking pace.
It has been reported in the past that Royal Mews staff strapped a hot water bottle under the seat on the day of the Queen’s coronation, because the day was so cold and wet.
Who will ride in the Diamond Jubilee state coach at King Charles’ coronation?
King Charles will travel to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee state coach on his coronation day.
This isn’t the usual mode of transport to a coronation but it’s thought that the King may be paying tribute to his late mother by doing this.
He will then go back to Buckingham Palace in the Gold state coach.