The royal carriages for the much anticipated wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton slated next month have been fixed, royal officials announced Tuesday.
There will be five horse-drawn carriages in the procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. Although, both the Prince and Kate will arrive separately to the wedding service at Westminster Abbey using state cars from the Royal Mews, they will travel together after the service along the procession route.
Start the slideshow to view the exclusive wedding carriages for the royal wedding:
The Royal Mews or the stables of the British Royal Family in London, is part of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office and is run by the Crown Equerry. In total, the Royal Mews houses 30 carriage horses and has 38 staff including liveried helpers, coachmen, chauffeurs.
There are over 100 carriages in the collection with only two breeds of horses; Windsor Greys and Bays.
For the Royal Wedding, 14 sides of State Harness will be used with matching appointments for outriders. All the harness requires regular cleaning and polishing which is undertaken by Royal Mews staff in addition to their other duties.
In the picture: A Rolls-Royce state car is seen at the Royal Mews in London March 21, 2011. Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will travel in the car for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011.
Reuters.Prior to the wedding, Kate will arrive for the marriage service at Westminster Abbey in a Rolls-Royce Phantom VI car. This was the same car which was attacked by angry protesters in December when William's father Prince Charles and his second wife Camilla were on board.
In the picture: A Rolls-Royce state car is seen at the Royal Mews in London March 21, 2011. Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will travel in the car for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011.
Reuters.At the end of the ceremony, the royal couple will travel together in a 1902 State Landau along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace.
The 1902 State Landau was specifically built for King Edward VII in 1902 and was intended to be used at his Coronation. The carriage is very often used by The Queen to meet Foreign Heads of State when they arrive on State Visits to Britain. In 1981, Prince Charles Wales travelled to St Paul’s Cathedral in the carriage for his wedding. It was later used in 1986 when the Duke and Duchess of York also used it for their return to Buckingham Palace at their wedding.
In the picture: Carriage restorer Dave Evans cleans the 1902 State Landau coach at the Royal Mews in London March 21, 2011. Weather permitting; the coach will be used to carry Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton at their wedding day on April 29, 2011.
Reuters.However, in the event of severely wet weather, the couple will travel in the Glass Coach. Built in 1881, the Glass Coach was purchased for use at King George V’s Coronation in 1911.
Later, it was used to carry previous Royal brides to their weddings, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, Princess Alexandra in 1963, Princess Anne in 1973, Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 and Miss Sarah Ferguson in 1986.
In the picture: Carriage restorer Dave Evans cleans the Glass Coach at the Royal Mews in London March 21, 2011. The coach will be used to carry Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton for their wedding day on April 29, 2011, should the weather prove to be inclement.
Reuters.Apart from this, there will be five horse-drawn carriages used in the royal procession. Besides the royal couple’s carriage, the second and third carriages will be Ascot Landaus carrying the Best Man, Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids.
In the picture: Carriage restorer Dave Evans cleans the Glass Coach at the Royal Mews in London March 21, 2011. The coach will be used to carry Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton for their wedding day on April 29, 2011, should the weather prove to be inclement.
Reuters.This will be followed by a fourth carriage, a Semi-State Landau, which will be carrying The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. The fifth carriage will be a Semi-State Landau carrying The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Kate’s parents.
The five Semi State Landaus in service at the Royal Mews have been used for The Queen’s coronation visit to Edinburgh, the Investiture of The Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle, The Queen’s silver Jubilee visits to Glasgow and Cardiff, and on State Visits following the 1902 State Landau. They are also used to transport new High Commissioners of Republics within the Commonwealth when they are received by The Queen.
In the picture: State harness cleaner David Oates cleans the Round Buckle, part of the State Harness, at the Royal Mews in London March 21, 2011. The harness will be used on the royal carriage at the wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011.Reuters.
