The Carriage Procession
1902 State Landau
At the end of their wedding service at Westminster Abbey, Prince William and Miss Middleton travelled in the 1902 State Landau along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace. The route, which included Parliament Square, Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade and The Mall, was lined with thousands of enthusiastic well-wishers, eager to gatch a glimpse of the newly-married couple.
The 1902 State Landau was specifically built for King Edward VII in 1902 and was intended to be used at his Coronation. It is the carriage in most general use at the Royal Mews and is usually used by The Queen to meet Foreign Heads of State when they arrive on State Visits to Britain.
The Prince of Wales travelled to St Paul's Cathedral in the 1902 State Landau for his wedding in 1981, returning in it with The Princess of Wales after the service. The Duke and Duchess of York also used it for their return to Buckingham Palace at their wedding in 1986.
The 1902 State Landau is painted in a lighter shade of maroon than the other coaches and richly adorned with gold leaf and upholstered in a crimson satin. It is normally used open, and drawn by six horses.
Other Carriages
There were four further horse-drawn carriages in the Carriage Procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. Following the 1902 State Landau, the second and third carriages were Ascot Landaus carrying the Best Man, Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids. The fourth carriage was a Semi-State Landau carrying The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. The fifth carriage was a Semi-State Landau carrying The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Mr. and Mrs. Middleton.
The 1902 State Landau, the Ascot and Semi-State Landaus are housed at the Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace.
There are five Ascot Landaus in the Royal Mews. Two of these featured in the Procession. Ascot Landaus are always used for The Queen's procession up the course at the Royal Ascot race meeting and also for other visits of an official nature.
They have been used for The Queen's coronation visit to Edinburgh, the Investiture of The Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle, The Queen's silver Jubilee visits to Glasgow and Cardiff, and on State Visits following the 1902 State Landau. They are also used to transport new High Commissioners of Republics within the Commonwealth when they are received by The Queen. The Semi-State Landaus are used for a variety of Royal occasions.
