The Royal Mews

Scottish State Coach

Gold State Coach

  My plan was to see the new exhibit at Buckingham Palace the includes Kate's wedding dress and other memorabilia from the Royal Family but unfortunately tickets sold out and I decided to venture into the Royal Mews.  Adjacent to the Palace, the Royal Mews functions as a working and living department for members of the Royal Household.  All aspects of familiar travel are their prime responsibility.  Horse-drawn carriages are the best way for the Royal Family to be seen in public with the elaborate rich decorations and style.  The Royal Mews is mainly responsible for the special honorary occasions such as coronations, jubilees, the State Opening, the Queen's birthday, and many more.  The large part that is open to the public is visited by 100,000 people each year.  It's purpose is not to serve as museum but a working establishment involving the training of horses and care taking of carriages.  Depending on the occasion, different carriages are used to fit the attire.  For example, a Barouche is made for fine weather, drawn by light, and elegant horses as opposed to the Charabanc that is designed for group outings such as picnics.  All the carriages were beautiful but one particularly stood out and that was the Gold State Coach commissioned by George III.  It has stunning gold covering the outside and the detail is surreal.  On each corner there is a golden carved triton representing power in all it's might.  Also on display was the Scottish State Coach that the present queen had used on her 60th birthday.  The horses used to pull the carriages are Windsor Greys and there are 10 out of  30 at the Royal Mews as of now.  Eight Windsor Greys pull the Gold State Coach and have to go through large amounts of training to do so.  These horses are treated as well as the Royal Family appears to be.

-Taylor Gentry