- Golden Carriage
The "Gouden Koets" (English: "Golden Carriage") is a
carriage owned and used by the Dutch royal family. Generally, the Golden Carriage is used yearly to bear the Dutch queen (or king) from theBinnenhof to theRidderzaal in order to pronounce theSpeech from the Throne . The carriage is made of teak wood, much of which is covered in gold leaf. The carriage was built in Dutch Rennaissance style. The Golden Carriage is pulled by eight horses when the Queen is riding therein; only six horses when lesser members of the royal family are travelling in the coach. More recently, the Queen wanted to be able to stand upright while riding in the carriage. For that reason, the carriage was modified, which explains the bent form of the carriage's roof. This increased height of the carriage has made the driver's task of driving the carriage more difficult.History
Queen Wilhelmina received the Golden Carriage at her investiture in 1898, as a tribute from the citizens ofAmsterdam . The carriage was designed and built by the Spijker brothers.The vehicle was first used on the occasion of the marriage of Queen Wilhelmina to Prince Hendrik on
February 7 1901 . Since 1903, it has mainly been used once a year, on the day of the Queen's speech (Prinsjesdag ).Because Queen Wilhelmina wished not to receive gifts on the day of her enthronement (September 6, 1898), she actually took receipt of the Golden Carriage on September 7, 1898.
Other occasions when the carriage has been used are:
* the marriage ofPrincess Juliana toPrince Bernhard (1937)
* the baptism ofPrincess Beatrix (1938)
* the marriage ofPrincess Beatrix withPrince Claus (1966)
* the marriage of Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima (2002)Material
Although the name suggests the carriage is made of
gold , it is actually made ofgilded wood . Other parts are richly decorated with paintings. The carriage is built in Dutch Renaissance style and has symbolic ornaments. The carriage is drawn by eighthorse s if it carries the Queen; six horses otherwise (e.g. the marriages listed in the previous paragraph).
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