Australian State Coach

The Australian State Coach is an enclosed, six horse-drawn carriage used by the British Royal Family. The coach was presented to Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom by the Australian Government on the occasion of the Australian Bicentennial in 1988. [http://www.royal.gov.uk/OutPut/Page5023.asp] It was financed by the Australian government and was flown from Sydney to London after its completion to be presented to The Queen. It was designed and made by W.J. "Jim" Frecklington, an ardent monarchist and renowned coach builder. Frecklington subsequently built the even more expensive State Coach Britannia for Elizabeth II. The Australian State Coach is sometimes used at the British State Opening of Parliament and other state occaisions involving the British or foreign royal families. Queen Margrethe of Denmark rode in the coach during her 1999 state visit to the United Kingdom. As one of the most modern of the royal carriages, the coach is fitted with electric windows and air conditioning. As with other coaches it is kept at the Royal Mews when not in use. It was first used in 1988 to take The Queen to the State Opening of Parliament. [http://www.british-monarchs.com/coaches.html]

ee also

*State opening of Parliament
*Royal Mews

References

External links

* [http://www.british-monarchs.com/coaches.html Australian State Coach at british-monarchs.com] (with image)
* [http://www.royal.gov.uk/OutPut/Page5023.asp Carriages at royal.gov.uk]