Gold State Coach

The Gold State Coach is an enclosed, four horse-drawn carriage used by the British Royal Family. It was built in Dublin in 1762 and has been used at every coronation of the British monarch since George IV. The coach weighs four tons and is convert|24|ft|m long and convert|12|ft|m high. It is gilded and features painted panels by Giovanni Cipriani and rich gilded sculpture including three cherubs on the roof (representing England, Ireland and Scotland) and four tritons, one at each corner (representing Britain's imperial power). The body of the coach is slung by braces covered with Morocco leather and decorated with gilt buckles. The interior is is lined with velvet and satin. The Gold State Coach is pulled by a team of eight horses wearing the Red Morocco harness. Originally driven by a coachman, the horses are now led by riders walking alongside them. When not in use the coach is kept at the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.

ee also

*State Opening of Parliament
*Royal Mews

External links

* [http://www.royal.gov.uk/OutPut/Page1336.asp The Gold State Coach at Royal.gov.uk]
* [http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/06/04/uk.gold.coach/index.html Description from CNN of the Gold State Coach]