Updating uncomfortable traditions: King Charles Coronation & the Gold State Coach
In the bourgeois media that is concerned about such things- the Telegraph and the Times-there have been reports about which coach the King and Queen will use for the Coronation.
The Gold State Coach was commissioned by George 111 in 1760 and has been used at every Coronation since 1821.
The problem is that it is only sprung on leather and somewhat uncomfortable given the Royal Personages a bumpy ride. Until the Second World War it was used not only for Coronations but also for the State Opening of Parliament. Queen Victoria who complained of its distressing oscilliations is though to have refused to use it on occasion and the late Queen Elizabeth was not a fan.
Even so its tradition. It is reported that the King and Camilla will use another fully modernised coach to travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey (there is no shortage of them in the Royal Mews) and use the Gold Coach for the journey back.
Alternatively they could get the bus of course. A reasonably comfortable ride and rather less public expense.
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