VISITING THE ROYAL MEWS

If cars, carriages and horses went to heaven, The Royal Mews is where they would go. Tucked away behind Buckingham Palace, this is the ultimate stable for regal steeds and stately wheels and it reins supreme. And I’m sure Cinderella wouldn’t say neigh to trotting off in a Royal Carriage for her amorous rendez-vous with Prince Charming. For now though, we’ll have to settle with the Coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consort to see some of these royal carriages on duty.

Visiting the Royal Mews

Royal Mewsings

The word “mews” originates from the French word “muer” or to moult. The royal hawks were originally held in the King’s Mews in Charing Cross (where the National Gallery stands today) whilst their feathers moulted. During Henry VIII’s reign, the original mews was destroyed by fire and rebuilt as royal stables, retaining its original name. The King’s Mews relocated to Buckingham Palace, morphing into the Royal Mews after a design by John Nash for George IV. Today, the Royal Mews is home to the royal collection of coaches, carriages and cars, and it has one of the world’s finest working stables.

Gold State Coach and the Coronation

Dating from 1760, the Gold State Coach is the oldest, and has been used for every coronation since George IV. Queen Victoria referred to its “distressing oscillation” whilst William IV said travelling in the State Coach was like “tossing in a rough sea.” King Charles III and the Queen Consort will be driving in the Gold State Coach from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace after the Coronation on May 6.

The Diamond Jubilee State Coach

The Diamond Jubilee Coach is the Royal Mews’s carriage with the mostest: heating, air-conditioning, hydraulic suspension and electric windows come as standard. It was designed by an Australian, Jim Frecklington, who worked in the Royal Mews as a young man. The coach weighs three tons and it requires three grooms and six horses to pull it.

The coach is also a moving museum of artefacts from 100 of Britain’s historical sites. There’s a lead musket ball from the Battle of Waterloo, fragments of a dress worn by Florence Nightingale, and the crown is made from parts of Nelson’s HMS Victory (with a concealed camera inside). Timber segments from the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Hampton Court Palace, to name a few, can be found in the interior lining, and the two door handles are decorated with 24 Kiwi diamonds and 130 sapphires.

The Diamond Jubilee Coach is filled with historical artefacts including segments from Britain’s most famous buildings. The panelling inlay also incorporates pieces of Isaac Newton’s tree, wood from the Mayflower and metalwork from a Spitfire. King Charles III and the Queen Consort will be driving in the Diamond Jubilee Coach from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey for the Coronation on May 6.

The Glass Coach

The Glass Coach was built in 1881 and was purchased for George V’s coronation in 1911. It has been used to carry the bride-to-be to church (as with Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 and Miss Sarah Ferguson in 1986). It is also used to carry the newlyweds from church after the service (as with Princes Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1947).

The British pride themselves on 100% military precision and punctuality when it comes to all things pomp and circumstance, and royal weddings are no exception. Or at least, that was the case until Lady Diana married Price Charles on the 29th July 1981.  The bride insisted on being late, and she did this by a whopping 30 seconds!

Cars and Limousines in the Royal Mews

The Royal Mews also houses a mix of State and Non-state Cars. The five State Cars do not have licence plates and include a selection of British-made Rolls Royces and Bentleys. There are eight chauffeurs, but only the Head Chauffeur and the two Deputy heads can drive the King.

The Royal Mews Carriage Horses

The carriage horses are either Windsor Greys or Cleveland Bays. They are bred in Hampton Court, broken-in at Windsor Castle and moved to the Royal Mews at the age of four. They are exercised in Hyde Park and St James’s Park. The Queen personally named all her horses.

Visiting the Royal Mews

The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace, London, SW1W 1QH. Nearest tube: Victoria

Adult Tickets £15 , and all admission prices include a multimedia tour. Under 5s go free. At the end of your visit, ask a Warden to stamp your ticket to convert it into a 1- Year Pass for which you can enjoy free re-admission.

Please note:  The Royal Mews is open until 30 October 2023.