1902 State Landau


The United Kingdom's 1902 State Landau is a horse-drawn carriage with a flexible leather roof which drops in two exact halves, back and front.
A postilion landau it is drawn by six horses under the control of three postilions and has no provision for a coachman. With the top lowered and no coachman spectators have a better view of passengers than other vehicles provide.

Use

The 1902 State Landau is owned by the United Kingdom and set aside for the monarch's use within Britain.
This carriage carries the monarch in processions at times of national celebration and official reception of a visiting head of state.
In the past the monarch has provided the landau to take home the bride and groom after the marriage of the heir apparent.
The largest and most splendid horse-drawn carriage—not coach—used by The Queen it was built by Hooper in 1902 for the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra and given extra interior space.
The carriage currently in use is a replica built by Australia's W James Frecklington of Manly, NSW in the late 1970s. In 1987 James Frecklington built the Australian State Coach and in 2014 The Diamond Jubilee State Coach.

Inclement weather

If rain threatens the Irish State Coach replaces it. The Gold State Coach, sometimes referred to as the coronation coach, is the primary transport for high ceremonial events directly relating to the reigning monarch but is reputed to be uncomfortable for passengers.

Contemporary description

The description published in 1903 by Walter Gilbey, founder and chairman of the London Cart Horse Parade Society and president of the Royal Agricultural Society.