The air-conditioned carriage that served the British King during the coronation ceremony

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be transported to the coronation in the gilded, air-conditioned Diamond Jubilee State Coach, drawn by six horses.

King Charles III and Camilla will use the Diamond Jubilee State carriage as their means of transport for the more than 2 km journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey during the coronation ceremony on May 6.

The Diamond Jubilee is a special carriage built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and was first used by her at the State Opening of the British Parliament in 2014. It is also the newest vehicle in the British Royal Family's horse-drawn carriage fleet.

The gilded carriage was built in Australia, weighs more than three tons, is more than 5 meters long, and is pulled by 6 horses. The wooden interior of the carriage includes items donated from historic buildings and places across the UK, and is topped with a gilded crown.

The Diamond Jubilee State is much more modern than it looks. It is equipped with air conditioning, electric windows and a state-of-the-art suspension system.

"The body is made from aluminium, which is quite unusual, as most other carriages are made from wood. It also has six hydraulic shock absorbers, so the King and Queen will have a very comfortable ride," said Sally Goodsir, curator at the Royal Collection Trust.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles III in the Diamond Jubilee State carriage, heading to the Houses of Parliament, October 14, 2019. Photo: AFP

Once the coronation is over, the King and Queen will return to Buckingham Palace by the same route, but using the 260-year-old Gold State carriage.

This is one of the oldest British royal carriages, used for every coronation since that of King William IV in 1831. Queen Elizabeth II used it for both the journey to and from her coronation in 1953.

The carriage is made of wood, gilded, 7 meters long, 3.6 meters high, the interior is covered with velvet and satin. The exterior of the carriage is carved with Roman gods. On the roof of the carriage are gilded statues of three angels, symbolizing England, Scotland and Ireland.

The four-ton carriage is pulled by eight horses. "The Gold State will be the centrepiece of the procession from the Abbey to Buckingham Palace. Its weight and slow speed will accentuate the solemnity of the procession," said Goodsir.

The Golden State carriage at Buckingham Palace, London, May 6, 2022. Photo: AFP

However, the carriage was said to be uncomfortable. Queen Elizabeth II described the 4.5-mile journey she made for her 1953 coronation in the 18th-century carriage as “horrible” and “not at all comfortable”. Royal staff had to put a hot water bottle under her seat because the weather was unusually cold and wet.

King William IV, who was crowned in 1831, also described the journey in the Golden State carriage as "sailing on a rough sea".

British media reported that King Charles III and Queen Camilla only chose the Gold State carriage for the return journey because they were both suffering from back pain. Buckingham Palace refused to comment on the decision, saying it was "the King's personal choice".

The coronation of King Charles III will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6, following traditions dating back 1,000 years. The king will arrive at Westminster Abbey, sit on the St. Edward's Throne, be anointed with holy oil and wear the St. Edward's Crown.

The scale of the coronation will be somewhat scaled back from Queen Elizabeth II's ceremony in 1953, reflecting modern attitudes and the ongoing cost of living crisis in Britain.

Duc Trung (According to Sky News, BBC )

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