Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding carriage procession will feature the newlyweds in a type of coach used during the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s nuptials.
Harry and Meghan visited the royal mews at Buckingham Palace to select the Ascot Landau which will be the centrepiece of public celebrations after they marry in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The carriage procession will begin at 1pm after the wedding service, with the newlyweds driven along Castle Hill, into Windsor town centre before returning along the famous Long Walk for their reception.
If it rains on the wedding day the wet weather option is the Scottish State Coach. Built in 1830, a new top was created in 1969 with large windows, and a partial glass roof, to allow spectators to see the passengers.
The Ascot Landau (left), which will be used in the case of dry weather at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and the Scottish State Carriage (right), to be used in the case of rain, pictured at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, London
Philip Barnard-Brown, senior coachman at the Buckingham Palace Mews, leads a Windsor Grey, one of the four horses that will pull the carriage at the wedding of Harry and Meghan, past the Ascot Landau carriage
The Ascot Landau, which will be used in the case of dry weather for the wedding of Harry and Meghan, at the Royal Mews
Harry and Meghan visited the royal mews to select the Ascot Landau which will be the centrepiece of public celebrations
The type of carriage chosen is one Harry knows well as two Landaus were used during William and Kate’s carriage procession
The procession will begin at 1pm after the service, with the newlyweds driven along Castle Hill into Windsor town centre
The procession will feature the newlyweds in a type of coach used during the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s nuptials
Kensington Palace said the couple hope the carriage journey will ‘be a memorable moment for everyone who has gathered’
Crown Equerry Colonel Toby Browne, who runs the royal mews, said the type of carriage chosen is one Harry knows well
Kensington Palace said: ‘Prince Harry and Ms Markle are very much looking forward to this short journey which they hope will be a memorable moment for everyone who has gathered together in Windsor to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day.’
Crown Equerry Colonel Toby Browne, who runs the royal mews, said the type of carriage chosen is one Harry knows well as two Landaus were used during William and Kate’s carriage procession after they married in 2011.
Col Browne said: ‘He was best man at his brother’s wedding so he rode in one of these with the bridesmaids and pages as part of the procession following the wedding.
‘But he’s also been in the Queen’s procession at the royal meeting at Ascot, so he’s ridden in these quite regularly.’
If it rains on the wedding day the wet weather option is the Scottish State Coach (pictured)
Built in 1830, a new top was created in 1969 with large windows, and a partial glass roof, to allow people to see the passengers
The Scottish State Coach, which will be used in the case of wet weather, for the wedding of Harry and Meghan
Two Windsor Greys, which will pull the carriage at the wedding of Harry and Meghan, at the Royal Mews
Martin Oates, senior carriage restorer, polishes the Scottish State Coach, which will be used in the case of wet weather
Philip Barnard-Brown, senior coachman at the Buckingham Palace Mews, leads a Windsor Grey past the Scottish State Coach
Six horses, Windsor Greys, will be involved with Meghan and Harry’s carriage ride following their May 19 wedding
Kensington Palace said Harry and Meghan are ‘very much looking forward to this short journey’ in one of the carriages
Col Browne added: ‘The fair weather option, the Ascot Landau, it was selected because it’s a wonderfully bright, small, lovely carriage. Very easy for people to see, the passengers can sit up quite high – so there’s lots of visibility for everybody.
‘It was built in 1883, it’s one of five that we have, most of them are down in Windsor, we always keep one in London for occasions.’
He explained the Landaus are also used at the end of the annual St George’s Chapel Garter Service to drive members of the royal family up the hill to Windsor Castle, and Harry’s carriage is in pristine condition as it was refurbished last year.
Six horses, Windsor Greys, will be involved with Meghan and Harry’s carriage ride following their May 19 wedding.
A Cleveland Bay horse in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, London, ahead of wedding of Harry and Meghan
A team of four Windsor Grey horses will pull the Landau through Windsor and two others be outriders
A Windsor Grey, one of the four horses that will pull the carriage at the wedding, is groomed at the Royal Mews
Philip Barnard-Brown, senior coachman at the Buckingham Palace Mews, leads out a Windsor Grey at the Royal Mews
State cars include Bentleys, Rolls-Royces and Daimlers and they will be used to transport members of the royal family
A team of four, Milford Haven, Storm, Plymouth and Tyrone, will pull the Landau and two others – Sir Basil and Londonderry – will be outriders.
The Crown Equerry added: ‘We’ve always had two outriders and traditionally they acted to clear the path and herald the arrival of the principal in their carriage.
‘They will be just a short distance in front of the carriage itself and of course in front of them and behind the carriage will be the Household Cavalry travelling escort.’
A postilion rider, sat on one of the two lead carriage horses, will drive the coach and another rider will sit behind him on a Windsor Grey in the second row. Two footmen will sit behind the newlyweds at the back of the Landau.
State cars from the Royal Mews include Bentleys, Rolls-Royces and Daimlers and they will be used to transport members of the royal family on the day.