The Royal Mews

Contents Introduction

6

History and Horses A History of the Royal Mews

8

The Horses

14

Training Carriage Horses

17

Coaches, Carriages and Cars Coaches and Carriages

20

The Gold State Coach

22

The Glass Coach

24

The Australian State Coach

25

Queen Alexandra’s State Coach

26

The Irish State Coach

28

The Scottish State Coach

29

The Landaus

30

The Diamond Jubilee Coach

32

The Cars

36

People and Processions Preparing for a Procession

40

Liveries 46

left

overleaf

Postillions in state livery control the horses pulling the Diamond Jubilee Coach during the State Opening of Parliament in 2016.

The Irish State Coach outside Buckingham Palace.

Contents Introduction

6

History and Horses A History of the Royal Mews

8

The Horses

14

Training Carriage Horses

17

Coaches, Carriages and Cars Coaches and Carriages

20

The Gold State Coach

22

The Glass Coach

24

The Australian State Coach

25

Queen Alexandra’s State Coach

26

The Irish State Coach

28

The Scottish State Coach

29

The Landaus

30

The Diamond Jubilee Coach

32

The Cars

36

People and Processions Preparing for a Procession

40

Liveries 46

left

overleaf

Postillions in state livery control the horses pulling the Diamond Jubilee Coach during the State Opening of Parliament in 2016.

The Irish State Coach outside Buckingham Palace.

Introduction

is a unique part of Britain’s heritage, central to the pomp and pageantry for which the United Kingdom is famous around the world. The most important state and royal occasions are marked by processions carrying The Queen and other members of the Royal Family in a magnificent display of horses, carriages and splendid liveries which continue traditions that have endured since the eighteenth century.

Behind the ceremony and the spectacle lies a working organisation headed by the Master of the Horse, whose symbolic responsibility for moving the monarch around the country by road dates back nearly a thousand years. The Royal Mews is part of the Transport Division of The Queen’s Household.

Under the control of the Crown Equerry, it is a living community whose staff live with their families on site and are on call for all The Queen’s public engagements.

Today the vast majority of those engagements involve cars rather than carriages, and the Royal Mews is home to a fleet of specially adapted limousines, cared for as rigorously as the horses. It has one of the finest collections of coaches and carriages in the world. Many of these are works of art in their own right, and are maintained by a specialist team of carriage restorers.

Much of the daily routine at the Royal Mews involves activities unchanged for hundreds of years. Although some are now contracted out, most are still done by hand as they have always been: caring for horses, repairing carriages, cleaning and grooming and mending and polishing to ensure the meticulous presentation for which royal events are famous.

But the Royal Mews is about more than maintaining traditions. This is a busy organisation with horses and staff always in training, cars and coaches coming and going, while behind the scenes day-to-day events are as precisely planned as ceremonial processions.

6

introduction

t h e r o ya l m e w s

above

A detail of the carving and gilding on the Diamond Jubilee Coach. right

The farrier visits at least every five weeks to fit new shoes.

The design of the livery dates back to the eighteenth century.

Introduction

is a unique part of Britain’s heritage, central to the pomp and pageantry for which the United Kingdom is famous around the world. The most important state and royal occasions are marked by processions carrying The Queen and other members of the Royal Family in a magnificent display of horses, carriages and splendid liveries which continue traditions that have endured since the eighteenth century.

Behind the ceremony and the spectacle lies a working organisation headed by the Master of the Horse, whose symbolic responsibility for moving the monarch around the country by road dates back nearly a thousand years. The Royal Mews is part of the Transport Division of The Queen’s Household.

Under the control of the Crown Equerry, it is a living community whose staff live with their families on site and are on call for all The Queen’s public engagements.

Today the vast majority of those engagements involve cars rather than carriages, and the Royal Mews is home to a fleet of specially adapted limousines, cared for as rigorously as the horses. It has one of the finest collections of coaches and carriages in the world. Many of these are works of art in their own right, and are maintained by a specialist team of carriage restorers.

Much of the daily routine at the Royal Mews involves activities unchanged for hundreds of years. Although some are now contracted out, most are still done by hand as they have always been: caring for horses, repairing carriages, cleaning and grooming and mending and polishing to ensure the meticulous presentation for which royal events are famous.

But the Royal Mews is about more than maintaining traditions. This is a busy organisation with horses and staff always in training, cars and coaches coming and going, while behind the scenes day-to-day events are as precisely planned as ceremonial processions.

6

introduction

t h e r o ya l m e w s

above

A detail of the carving and gilding on the Diamond Jubilee Coach. right

The farrier visits at least every five weeks to fit new shoes.

The design of the livery dates back to the eighteenth century.

A History of the Royal Mews

the royal horses and ceremonial carriages were kept in the King’s Mews at Charing Cross, on the site of the present National Gallery. When George III acquired Buckingham House in 1762 it already had stables. The King commissioned the architect Sir William Chambers to build a new Riding School, which can still be seen today, but his coaches and horses remained in the King’s Mews.

His son, George IV, had more ambitious plans for Buckingham Palace (as the house became). He had the stables rebuilt in typically grand style by Sir John Nash at a cost of £65,000 (over £6m in today’s money). No expense was spared. The new Mews was built around a quadrangle. Lit by gas lamps in the latest manner, it had a Doric-style arch, a clock tower, new coach houses and two sets of state stables to accommodate 54 horses, not to mention forage and harness rooms. George IV’s horses and coaches were moved from Charing Cross in 1825, and the stables at Buckingham Palace have been home to the Royal Mews ever since. for many centuries

8

history and horses

The stable blocks built by Sir John Nash originally provided stabling for 100 horses and are still in use.

The Royal Mews is home to the finest harness collection in the world.

right

Horses and riders still train in the Riding School, which was commissioned by George III and built by Sir William Chambers in 1765–6.

A History of the Royal Mews

the royal horses and ceremonial carriages were kept in the King’s Mews at Charing Cross, on the site of the present National Gallery. When George III acquired Buckingham House in 1762 it already had stables. The King commissioned the architect Sir William Chambers to build a new Riding School, which can still be seen today, but his coaches and horses remained in the King’s Mews.

His son, George IV, had more ambitious plans for Buckingham Palace (as the house became). He had the stables rebuilt in typically grand style by Sir John Nash at a cost of £65,000 (over £6m in today’s money). No expense was spared. The new Mews was built around a quadrangle. Lit by gas lamps in the latest manner, it had a Doric-style arch, a clock tower, new coach houses and two sets of state stables to accommodate 54 horses, not to mention forage and harness rooms. George IV’s horses and coaches were moved from Charing Cross in 1825, and the stables at Buckingham Palace have been home to the Royal Mews ever since. for many centuries

8

history and horses

The stable blocks built by Sir John Nash originally provided stabling for 100 horses and are still in use.

The Royal Mews is home to the finest harness collection in the world.

right

Horses and riders still train in the Riding School, which was commissioned by George III and built by Sir William Chambers in 1765–6.

The Cars

carriage remain key elements of ceremonial events, today most royal engagements depend on cars. The Queen’s Household fleet consists of three state Rolls Royces, two state Bentleys, three semi-state Daimler limousines (two of which are based at Windsor) and two Jaguar limousines.

Most of the fleet is in almost constant use, but when not on the road the cars are kept in a garage at the back of the Mews, gleaming and polished and cared for as meticulously as the horses that originally provided all of the sovereign’s transport.

The state Bentleys are the only two of their kind in the world.

Each weighing 3.9 tonnes, with powerful 6.75 twin turbo engines, they can be driven at speeds as low as 3 mph during a procession, but are also capable of moving at high speed if required. Like the other cars in the royal fleet, they are purpose-built for practicality, comfort and security, as well as ensuring that the royal passengers can be seen by as many people as possible.

The engines are extremely quiet, and even inside the car the sound of cheering can be deafening.

The Queen’s five state limousines are the only cars in the country to bear no number plates, but the vehicle in which she is travelling always displays her shield and the royal standard.

Other members of the Royal Family have cars with their own shields and standards as part of their separate households, but if they are travelling in a procession with The Queen, hers is the only standard flown.

Driving the royal cars requires a high degree of concentration.

Like the captain of a ship, the driver is responsible for the car and everyone in it and, together with the Personal Protection Officer sitting in the front passenger seat, must be aware of what is happening in the crowd. The Queen is always driven by the Head Chauffeur or one of two deputies. There are eight chauffeurs in total, all of whom have completed a police response course and have driving skills that mean that they can ‘make a car sit up and sing’ if required. As cars take The Queen and other members of the Royal Family to the vast majority of royal events, the chauffeurs work closely with the Special Escort Group, a division of the Metropolitan Police, and with police forces around the country when arranging visits.

36

coaches, carriages and cars

a lt h o u g h h o r s e a n d

previous pages

The liveries are carefully maintained. above

The cars are washed in cold water and valeted after every use. right

Chauffeurs with some of the royal limousines at the Royal Mews.

The interior of a state Bentley.

The Cars

carriage remain key elements of ceremonial events, today most royal engagements depend on cars. The Queen’s Household fleet consists of three state Rolls Royces, two state Bentleys, three semi-state Daimler limousines (two of which are based at Windsor) and two Jaguar limousines.

Most of the fleet is in almost constant use, but when not on the road the cars are kept in a garage at the back of the Mews, gleaming and polished and cared for as meticulously as the horses that originally provided all of the sovereign’s transport.

The state Bentleys are the only two of their kind in the world.

Each weighing 3.9 tonnes, with powerful 6.75 twin turbo engines, they can be driven at speeds as low as 3 mph during a procession, but are also capable of moving at high speed if required. Like the other cars in the royal fleet, they are purpose-built for practicality, comfort and security, as well as ensuring that the royal passengers can be seen by as many people as possible.

The engines are extremely quiet, and even inside the car the sound of cheering can be deafening.

The Queen’s five state limousines are the only cars in the country to bear no number plates, but the vehicle in which she is travelling always displays her shield and the royal standard.

Other members of the Royal Family have cars with their own shields and standards as part of their separate households, but if they are travelling in a procession with The Queen, hers is the only standard flown.

Driving the royal cars requires a high degree of concentration.

Like the captain of a ship, the driver is responsible for the car and everyone in it and, together with the Personal Protection Officer sitting in the front passenger seat, must be aware of what is happening in the crowd. The Queen is always driven by the Head Chauffeur or one of two deputies. There are eight chauffeurs in total, all of whom have completed a police response course and have driving skills that mean that they can ‘make a car sit up and sing’ if required. As cars take The Queen and other members of the Royal Family to the vast majority of royal events, the chauffeurs work closely with the Special Escort Group, a division of the Metropolitan Police, and with police forces around the country when arranging visits.

36

coaches, carriages and cars

a lt h o u g h h o r s e a n d

previous pages

The liveries are carefully maintained. above

The cars are washed in cold water and valeted after every use. right

Chauffeurs with some of the royal limousines at the Royal Mews.

The interior of a state Bentley.

Remove bin bag/ lampost/traffic light

Remove yellow sign on post

Remove green carrier bag

Remove bin bag/ lampost/traffic light

Remove yellow sign on post

Remove green carrier bag

Preparing for a Procession

is run by the Crown Equerry, who is responsible for the royal limousines, the carriages and all the royal horses except those in The Queen’s thoroughbred studs and racing stables. The Crown Equerry works closely with the Comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain’s office at Buckingham Palace. It is the Comptroller who has overall responsibility for all the State occasions in which The Queen takes part, while the Crown Equerry, in consultation with The Queen, decides which vehicles will be used and provides the horses, carriages and cars as required.

Every procession is carefully planned, and executed with meticulous attention to detail. Three or four days before the procession itself, a rehearsal takes place early in the morning to avoid traffic and to ensure that the timings are correct.

t h e r o ya l m e w s

previous pages

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh in the Diamond Jubilee Coach.

people and processions

The Crown Equerry makes a final inspection before the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

2. Saddles are cleaned and harnesses polished as part of the daily routine in the Mews. Everything must be

spotless on the day.

41

40

people and processions

1. The day before the procession, the Mews staff check their uniforms and make sure every button is gleaming.

Preparing for a Procession

is run by the Crown Equerry, who is responsible for the royal limousines, the carriages and all the royal horses except those in The Queen’s thoroughbred studs and racing stables. The Crown Equerry works closely with the Comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain’s office at Buckingham Palace. It is the Comptroller who has overall responsibility for all the State occasions in which The Queen takes part, while the Crown Equerry, in consultation with The Queen, decides which vehicles will be used and provides the horses, carriages and cars as required.

Every procession is carefully planned, and executed with meticulous attention to detail. Three or four days before the procession itself, a rehearsal takes place early in the morning to avoid traffic and to ensure that the timings are correct.

t h e r o ya l m e w s

previous pages

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh in the Diamond Jubilee Coach.

people and processions

The Crown Equerry makes a final inspection before the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

2. Saddles are cleaned and harnesses polished as part of the daily routine in the Mews. Everything must be

spotless on the day.

41

40

people and processions

1. The day before the procession, the Mews staff check their uniforms and make sure every button is gleaming.

people and processions

people and processions

7. The carriages are brought out and the horses put to them.

9. After the procession, the empty carriages return to the quadrangle and are put back in the coach houses.

Harnesses are cleaned and returned to the State Harness Room and uniforms returned to the Full Dress Store, while the horses enjoy a well-earned rest.

45

44

8. The procession sets out from Buckingham Palace with The Queen and other members of the royal party.

people and processions

people and processions

7. The carriages are brought out and the horses put to them.

9. After the procession, the empty carriages return to the quadrangle and are put back in the coach houses.

Harnesses are cleaned and returned to the State Harness Room and uniforms returned to the Full Dress Store, while the horses enjoy a well-earned rest.

45

44

8. The procession sets out from Buckingham Palace with The Queen and other members of the royal party.

Liveries

by the staff at the Royal Mews depends on whether the procession is part of a state or semi-state occasion.

A state occasion is one The Queen undertakes as sovereign on behalf of the country, such as opening parliament or welcoming foreign dignitaries, while in a semi-state event she represents herself. Semi-state events include the Trooping the Colour ceremony and Ascot.

The coachmen’s state livery, worn on the most important ceremonial and royal occasions, weighs over 7 kilograms. In addition to the scarlet and gold frock coat, the coachman wears breeches, stockings, black court shoes and a tricorn hat with a wig underneath. The semi-state livery for a coachman consists of a less elaborate scarlet frock coat with blue plush knee breeches, stockings and a gold-laced top hat.

In cold and wet weather, the coachmen wear scarlet cloaks known as ‘red wrappers’, a design that dates back to George III. The greater the number of extra capes on the shoulder, the more senior the coachman. Five extra capes indicate the most senior coachman.

Postillions ride the nearside horses when the carriage is pulled rather than driven. On State occasions postillions wear a scarlet and gold jacket, with white breeches, top boots, and a wig and cap. Their semi-state livery is a dark blue jacket with gilt buttons and a gold-laced top hat, while for Ascot processions they wear a scarlet, purple and gold jacket.

Unchanged in design for over three hundred years, the liveries are very expensive to make. They are handed down from one member of staff to another, and in some cases, given the number of long-serving families who have worked at the Royal Mews, from one generation to another. The oldest liveries still in use today are nearly a hundred years old. Like the newer liveries, they are cleaned and repaired in house, and it is the Store Manager’s responsibility to ensure they are all in immaculate condition when worn.

46

people and processions

the uniform worn

above

A coachman wearing the tricorn hat that is part of the state livery. right

The Store Manager is responsible for the care and maintenance of all the liveries and other supplies needed in the Royal Mews.

State livery is worn on all ceremonial state occasions. overleaf

A badge on the sleeve of State livery jackets bears the embroidered motto of the Order of the Garter, Honi soit qui mal y pense.

Liveries

by the staff at the Royal Mews depends on whether the procession is part of a state or semi-state occasion.

A state occasion is one The Queen undertakes as sovereign on behalf of the country, such as opening parliament or welcoming foreign dignitaries, while in a semi-state event she represents herself. Semi-state events include the Trooping the Colour ceremony and Ascot.

The coachmen’s state livery, worn on the most important ceremonial and royal occasions, weighs over 7 kilograms. In addition to the scarlet and gold frock coat, the coachman wears breeches, stockings, black court shoes and a tricorn hat with a wig underneath. The semi-state livery for a coachman consists of a less elaborate scarlet frock coat with blue plush knee breeches, stockings and a gold-laced top hat.

In cold and wet weather, the coachmen wear scarlet cloaks known as ‘red wrappers’, a design that dates back to George III. The greater the number of extra capes on the shoulder, the more senior the coachman. Five extra capes indicate the most senior coachman.

Postillions ride the nearside horses when the carriage is pulled rather than driven. On State occasions postillions wear a scarlet and gold jacket, with white breeches, top boots, and a wig and cap. Their semi-state livery is a dark blue jacket with gilt buttons and a gold-laced top hat, while for Ascot processions they wear a scarlet, purple and gold jacket.

Unchanged in design for over three hundred years, the liveries are very expensive to make. They are handed down from one member of staff to another, and in some cases, given the number of long-serving families who have worked at the Royal Mews, from one generation to another. The oldest liveries still in use today are nearly a hundred years old. Like the newer liveries, they are cleaned and repaired in house, and it is the Store Manager’s responsibility to ensure they are all in immaculate condition when worn.

46

people and processions

the uniform worn

above

A coachman wearing the tricorn hat that is part of the state livery. right

The Store Manager is responsible for the care and maintenance of all the liveries and other supplies needed in the Royal Mews.

State livery is worn on all ceremonial state occasions. overleaf

A badge on the sleeve of State livery jackets bears the embroidered motto of the Order of the Garter, Honi soit qui mal y pense.