Two different carriages have been prepared to deliver on April 29 Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton to Buckingham Palace after their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Two cars will also be used to carry the bride and the groom to Westminster Abbey separately. Other passengers will include some members of the royal family. This process should aid in an on time start.
A Rolls-Royce Phantom VI will be used to take Catherine Middleton to Westminster Abbey. The car was attacked by student protesters in the streets of London in December 2010. Then it was carrying Prince Charles and his wife Camilla to the theater.
The distinctive claret and black 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, which was given to Queen Elizebeth II as a present on her Silver Jubilee in 1977, was damaged during the protests. But Crown Equerry Colonel Toby Browne said the car would be repaired in time for the wedding and will look like new.
The procession of five horse-drawn carriages will carry the newlyweds and their relatives to Buckingham Palace along London’s central streets after a one-hour wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
The procession of five horse-drawn carriages will carry the newlyweds and their relatives to Buckingham Palace along London’s central streets after a one-hour wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
The Royal Mews’ 1902 State Landau is the carriage of choice. It is used by the queen to meet foreign heads of state on official visits to Britain. In 1981, it carried Prince Charles to St. Paul’s Cathedral for a wedding ceremony with Princess Diana, and later it carried them to Buckingham Palace.
The newlyweds will use the Glass Coach, a shining dark maroon carriage with crimson and gold detail, if it is raining, because it has a permanent roof. It was built in 1881 and was purchased for use at King George V's Coronation in 1911.
Traditionally, the Glass Coach has been used to carry royal brides to churches. It carried Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, Princess Anne in 1973, Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 and Miss Sarah Ferguson in 1986.
© REUTERS/ Dominic Lipinski
The second and third carriages will be Ascot Landaus, which are used to take the queen to the Royal Ascot races. On this occasion they will carry the best man, maid of honor and bridesmaids. Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of Kate Middleton, will be a maid of honor, while Prince Harry will be the best man.
The fourth carriage will be a Semi-State Landau carrying Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The fifth carriage will be a Semi-State Landau carrying Prince Charles, Duchess of Cornwall Camilla and Mr. and Mrs. Middleton.
The procession, carrying the newlyweds along Parliament Square, Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade and The Mall, will be escorted by the horsemen of the Household Cavalry. The Royal Mews has about 100 carriages and cars, 40 employees and 30 horses of two species – the Windsor Grey and the Clevelend Bay.
