The Windsor Greys pulling the Gold State Coach

All eyes will be on King Charles III and Queen Camilla for the royal coronation at Westminster Abbey later today. They will travel in the historic Gold Stage Coach on their way back from the service. Here are the eight Windsor Greys that will pull the coach back to Buckingham Palace.

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THE EIGHT WINDSOR GREY HORSES THAT WILL PULL THE GOLD STATE COACH

After the coronation service at Westminster Abbey, King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to Buckingham Palace in what is known as the Royal Procession.

They will travel in the iconic and historic Gold Stage Coach. 

Buckingham Palace has revealed the Coronation horses chosen to pull the Gold State Coach as it travels with the newly crowned royals.

The Windsor Greys chosen for the job are Icon, Shadow, Milford Haven, Newark, Echo, Knightsbridge, Meg, and Tyrone.

All the horses except Meg and Newark will also pull the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which will carry Charles and Camilla to Westminster Abbey ahead of the service.

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FIVE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE HISTORIC COACH

Preparations for the royal coronation are in full swing, and that includes the Gold State Coach.

Here are six interesting facts about the historic and iconic carriage.

1. PART OF EVERY CORONATION SINCE 1821

Since it was built in 1762, the Gold State Coach has played a part at all royal coronations, jubilees, and other special events, the Royal Collection Trust reports. Designed by William Chambers and made by the coachmaker Samuel Butler, the 260-year-old carriage has been used at every coronation since that of George IV in 1821.

2. IT’S NOT MADE FROM SOLID GOLD

According to The Royal Collection, the coach is made of giltwood, a thin layer of gold leaf over wood. The interior is lined and upholstered with velvet and satin. It also features magnificently painted panels of Roman gods and goddesses. On the roof, the carriage features three gilded cherubs, which reportedly represent England, Scotland, and Ireland.

3. IT ONLY GOES SLOW

The coach is seven meters long, 3.6 meters tall, and weighs four tonnes. Eight horses are reportedly needed to draw the coach. It is only drawn at a walking pace due to its age and weight.

4. QUEEN VICTORIA WASN’T A FAN

George III, George IV, and William IV all used the Gold State Coach at State Openings of Parliament, but Queen Victoria didn’t like it very much. According to the Royal Collection Trust, the coach wasn’t used after Prince Albert’s death in 1861.

5. THE THIRD OLDEST SURVIVING COACH IN THE UK

The oldest coach in the UK is the Speaker of the House of Common’s Coach, dating back to 1698. The second oldest coach is the Lord Mayor of London’s Coach, which was built in 1758.

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