- Also called:
- Gold State Carriage
Gold State Coach
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What is the Gold State Coach?
The Gold State Coach is an ornate, enclosed carriage used to transport the British monarch to special events, especially coronations. Samuel Butler built it in 1762, using a design by William Chambers.
Though it looks like solid gold, the coach is made of wood covered in gold leaf. It weighs about 4.4 tons and is 23 feet long, requiring eight horses to pull it. Sculptures by Joseph Wilton adorn the structure, including cherubs representing England, Scotland, and Ireland.
The coach is not known for its comfort. Queen Victoria rarely used it, and Elizabeth II called it "horrible". When not in use, the coach is on display at the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.
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Who uses the Gold State Coach?
The Gold State Coach is an ornate, enclosed carriage used to transport the British monarch to special events, particularly coronations. It is also occasionally used, when empty, during pageants. The coach was built in 1762 by Samuel Butler, using a design by William Chambers. It was commissioned for George III’s wedding and coronation in 1761 but wasn’t finished until 1762. George III first used it for the State Opening of Parliament that year. Since William IV's coronation in 1831, it has been used for every coronation. When not in use, the Gold State Coach is on public display at the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.
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When was the Gold State Coach built?
The Gold State Coach was constructed in 1762 by Samuel Butler, based on a design by William Chambers. Commissioned for George III’s wedding and coronation in 1761, its intricate design caused delays, and it was first used in 1762 for the State Opening of Parliament.
The coach is made of wood covered in gold leaf and is adorned with sculptures that celebrate British history. The Gold State Coach has been used for every coronation since William IV's in 1831. When not in use, the coach is on public display at the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.
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What special features does the Gold State Coach have?
The Gold State Coach is an ornate, enclosed carriage used to transport the British monarch to special events, especially coronations. Though it looks like solid gold, the coach is made of wood covered in gold leaf. Weighing approximately 4.4 tons and measuring about 23 feet long, it requires eight horses to pull it.
Sculptures by Joseph Wilton adorn the coach, celebrating British history. Three cherubs on the roof represent England, Scotland, and Ireland, holding coronation regalia. Large Tritons symbolize the country’s imperial power next to each wheel. Painted panels by Giovanni Battista Cipriani depict gods and goddesses, with references to England. The inside of the carriage features velvet and satin. The coach is known to be notoriously uncomfortable.
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During which royal events is the Gold State Coach typically used?
The Gold State Coach is an ornate, enclosed carriage used to transport the British monarch to special events, especially coronations. Since 1831, it has been used for every coronation. It was commissioned for George III’s wedding and coronation in 1761, but wasn’t completed until 1762. In 1762, George III used it for the State Opening of Parliament. The coach is on public display at the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace when not in use.
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How does the Gold State Coach reflect British history and tradition?
The Gold State Coach is an ornate carriage used to transport the British monarch to special events, especially coronations. Built in 1762, its sculptures celebrate British history. Three cherubs on the roof represent England, Scotland, and Ireland, holding coronation regalia, including St. Edward’s Crown. Tritons symbolize the country’s imperial power, while other sculptures commemorate Great Britain’s victory in the Seven Years’ War. Painted panels depict gods, goddesses, Britannia, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The coach has been used for every coronation since William IV in 1831.
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Gold State Coach, ornate enclosed carriage that transports the British monarch to special events, especially coronations. An empty coach is also occasionally used during pageants. The Gold State Coach was built in 1762 by Samuel Butler, using a design by William Chambers. When not in use it is on public display at the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.
The carriage was commissioned for George III’s wedding to Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and his subsequent coronation, both of which took place in 1761. However, due to the complexity of the coach’s design, it was not completed until 1762. That year, it was used by George III for the State Opening of Parliament. While it has transported the British sovereign to various events since then, the coach is most commonly associated with coronations. It has been used for every coronation since that of William IV in 1831.
Description
While the coach has the appearance of being solid gold, it is actually made of wood that is covered in gold leaf. It measures about 23 feet (7 metres) long and weighs about 4.4 tons (4 tonnes). Due to its immense size, eight horses are needed to pull the carriage. Numerous sculptures by Joseph Wilton adorn the structure and celebrate British history. Notably, three cherubs—representing England, Scotland, and Ireland—are on the centre of the roof, and they hold various pieces of coronation regalia, including St. Edward’s Crown. A large Triton, symbolizing the country’s imperial power, appears next to each of the carriage’s four wheels. The two Tritons in the front are shown blowing into conch shells, while the ones at the rear of the coach carry Neptune’s spears. Other sculptures, including numerous palm trees and several lion heads, commemorate Great Britain’s impending victory in the Seven Years’ War (1756–63).
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The bottom portion of the carriage’s body features painted panels by the Florentine artist Giovanni Battista Cipriani. Various gods and goddesses are depicted, and the front panel has references to England, including the helmeted female warrior Britannia and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Leather bands support the carriage’s suspended body and are attached by buckles to the massive Triton sculptures. The inside of the carriage features velvet and satin.
Fascinating facts
- The Gold State Coach cost £7,562 to build; in today’s money that is about £2 million, or some $2.5 million.
- The carriage is notoriously uncomfortable. The leather bands offer little stability, allowing the carriage to rock forward and backward as well as to sway from side to side. Queen Victoria rarely used it, noting its “distressing oscillations.” Elizabeth II went so far as to call it “horrible.”
- For Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in 2022, the coach contained no passengers and instead displayed a hologram of the queen on the day of her 1953 coronation.
- Given the age and weight of the carriage, it can manage only slow speeds, typically a walking pace.
- The Gold State Coach is not the oldest carriage in Britain. That honour belongs to the speaker of the House of Common’s State Coach, which was built in 1698.