Did You Know? The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace in the 1902 State Landau following their wedding ceremony in 2011, the same carriage used to transport Prince Charles and Princess Diana from St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1981. Kate Middleton broke tradition when she travelled to the ceremony in a royal limousine instead of the horse drawn-coach traditionally used to transport royal brides to their weddings. Visitors to the Royal Mews adjacent to Buckingham Palace can view a selection of the carriages, coaches, and motor cars that have transported The Queen and members of the Royal Family throughout history. Built in 1825, the Mews is a working department of the Royal Household where the staff fulfill daily duties and live on site with their families. There are over 100 historic coaches and vehicles in the Royal Collection housed at the Mews including: the Gold State Coach which has carried every monarch to their coronation since 1821; the Irish State Coach used by The Queen to travel to the State Opening of Parliament; and the Glass Coach traditionally used to transport royal brides to their weddings including Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, and Sarah Ferguson in 1986.
- The Royal Mews
- Buckingham Palace Road, SW1A 1AA
- www.royalcollection.org.uk