Vehicles of The Royal Mews

'The State Limousine weighs 4 tonnes, which is nearly the same weight as an adult hippopotamus! It has a big 7 Litre engine in it. They are very beautiful cars, very well looked after. '

'This is possibly the most famous blanket in the world. It is Her Majesty's Queen's favorite blanket for her state limousine. It was presented to her by the wife of the then president France a number of years ago. And it's one that's stayed in the state limousines ever since for her to use.'

The carriages at the Royal Mews are used for many different purposes, from Full State occasions to training the Cleveland Bays and Windsor Greys horses on their daily routine.

This can lead to accidents and damage to the carriages; others may need attention or even restoration after long periods of use. All this restoration work is completed at the Mews by staff with exceptional crafts skills in the workshop at Buckingham Palace. You can see how the carriages are cared for on the link below.

'The amazing gold state coach was built in the 1760s for King George the Third's Coronation. It been used for the Coronation of every King and Queen since then, including our own Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. '

'The Diamond Jubliee State Coach was built in 2012 as part of the celebrations for Her Majesty's reign of 60 years as our Queen. It looks very much like a traditional carriage, however, because it's a modern carriage it has a few additions to make it more comfortable. There's electric windows, and heating inside. '

'The Irish State Coach was built in the 1850s to be exhibited at the Great Exhibition in Dublin, where it caught the eye of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. They decided to buy it, bring it here to Buckingham Palace, where it continued to be used as a Royal carriage ever since'