The coronation carriage, isn't this a bit excessive?

[ycbm]

Can the carriage drivers tell us if this is purely for show or for some other purpose?

A photo of a practice run, the coach and eight, with the driver's right hand side led from the floor and the left hand side ridden. It seems a bit over the top?

 

[AmyMay]

As far as I remember, it’s really really heavy.

 

[rabatsa]

With the expected crowds and noise being really safe rather than sorry comes to mind.

 

[Trouper]

Not really sure but wonder if it is because there won't necessarily be the police and military around on the streets to help control any "incidents" at a rehearsal.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Suppose its better to over do it. Would be a tad embarrassing if they ground to a halt and had to ask people to push.

 

[ester]

I think excess is the aim

 

[ycbm]

As far as I remember, it’s really really heavy.

It's not the 8 horses i was thinking about, it's the 8 handler/riders?

 

[splashgirl45]

If they are the same ones that were pulling M&H at their wedding maybe they feel they might explode again

 

[reynold]

From wikipedia: The coach weighs four tons and is 29 feet (8.8 m) long and 12 feet (3.7 m) high

It has no drivers seat (and I don't think any brakes but what is provided by the wheelers) so the driving/steering is done by the 4 riders.

The 4 grooms on the non-ridden side are there to provide assistance to control the non-ridden horses and also to assist if any of the horses get caught up over the traces or similar.

It is definitely not excessive. At the platinum jubilee procession there were also liveried walkers along both sides of the carriage so I expect to see similar on saturday. There are also threatened protests including one group having threatened to throw rape alarms at the horses.

 

[CMcC]

The whole thing is over the top.

 

[Cortez]

Postillions are always necessary for this kind of harness; they are the drivers.

 

[dogatemysalad]

I think it's very sensible. If some extremist in the crowd spooks the horses and one falls, the handlers need to be there to calm them and release the harnesses with speed.
I remember seeing a carriage with 6 shires in a nasty accident and the immediate reaction of skilled and incredibly fearless horsemen saved the lives of the horses. It could have been horrific.

 

[Peglo]

I think it's very sensible. If some extremist in the crowd spooks the horses and one falls, the handlers need to be there to calm them and release the harnesses with speed.
I remember seeing a carriage with 6 shires in a nasty accident and the immediate reaction of skilled and incredibly fearless horsemen saved the lives of the horses. It could have been horrific.

I saw that too. It was awful! I would definitely go for excess than see that again.

 

[dominobrown]

I think excess is the aim

Exactly, thinking of when the coach was built and the whole ceremony of the coronation is this is meant to be „gods representation on earth“ and also the head of a powerful and wealthy „empire“, although not considered true today it was meant to be excessively over the top as basically a little nod to „look how rich and powerful we are“. Can’t exactly show up in a hay cart!

 

[tristar]

how about reducing expense and using a red bus, have a really modern, zany, fun process and bring the monarchy into the modern age.

they try to promote the touchy feely we are normal, of the people, then all this goes right over the top, but if you don`t care about the expense........









































































































































































then donate the money

 

[dominobrown]

Suppose it depends on if you support the royal family or not and why, if you value the tradition and history or not. I do think it’s amazing that coronation has elements that have been continued for over a thousand years, however I understand both sides as a British tax payer but also be half „foreign“ I don’t feel I have that much right to an opinion.

 

[ponynutz]

Procession wise? I support the royal family but it’s bonkers during a cost of living crisis and with the country’s economy in recession.

Handlers wise? I imagine there will be protests and its for the horses and surrounding people’s safety.

 

[sakura]

The whole thing is over the top.

This

 

[Peglo]

Personally I wouldn’t watch a lad come off a bus. I can see that daily if I get stuck behind the bus on the way home. You’re not going to see that carriage and horses everyday. But I’m not an anti royalist.

 

[Annagain]

Suppose it depends on if you support the royal family or not and why, if you value the tradition and history or not. I do think it’s amazing that coronation has elements that have been continued for over a thousand years, however I understand both sides as a British tax payer but also be half „foreign“ I don’t feel I have that much right to an opinion.

If you pay tax here, you have every right to an opinion on how your money is spent.

 

[Cortez]

Of course it's over the top (the whole golden carriage/prancy white horses/loads of lackeys thing), it's meant to be! You're crowning a king, not doing the weekly shop.

 

[tristar]

Of course it's over the top (the whole golden carriage/prancy white horses/loads of lackeys ything), it's meant to be! You're crowning a king, not doing the weekly shop.

you could buy an awful lot of shopping with the money its costing

 

[sakura]

I don't support the crowning of a king, so I resent my tax money going towards the extravagance

 

[Cortez]

you could buy an awful lot of shopping with the money its costing

Not enough for everyone who might need it; as a proportion of overall budgets I'd say it's pretty good value for a national jamboree.

 

[tristar]

i did have a model of that carriage as a child.

i must say it is one of the most stunning things ever.

 

[sakura]

It's not good value for national celebration if you don't agree with the whole thing. How much is the coronation costing - in general?

 

[tristar]

i was wondering how much it all costs.

so are the nurses i expect

 

[Cortez]

It's not good value for national celebration if you don't agree with the whole thing. How much is the coronation costing - in general?

I'm sure there are people who don't agree, but there are more people who do: democracy, see? Were you grumpy about the jubilee and Queen's funeral too?

 

[tristar]

but where do the royals really stand, surely they have some reservations regarding costs, or maybe not, just because this was how it was done years ago, tradition, does it have to be done that way forever.?

 

[sakura]

I'm sure there are people who don't agree, but there are more people who do: democracy, see? Were you grumpy about the jubilee and Queen's funeral too?

Yes, I was lol as a UK tax payer, I have the right to voice my opinion - which is every bit as valid as anyone else's.

Democracy is a bold word to use when talking about a monarchy.