Australian State Coach Information & Australian State Coach Links at HealthHaven.com

The Australian State Coach is an enclosed, six horse-drawn carriage used by the British Royal Family. The coach was presented to Queen Elizabeth II of Australia and the United Kingdom by the Australian Government on the occasion of the Australian Bicentennial in 1988. ^[1] It was financed by the Australian government and was flown from Sydney to London after its completion to be presented to The Queen. It was designed and made by W.J. "Jim" Frecklington, an ardent monarchist and renowned coach builder. Frecklington subsequently built the even more expensive State Coach Britannia for Elizabeth II. The Australian State Coach is sometimes used at the British State Opening of Parliament and other state occasions involving the British or foreign royal families. Queen Margrethe of Denmark rode in the coach during her 1999 state visit to the United Kingdom. As one of the most modern of the royal carriages, the coach is fitted with electric windows and air conditioning. As with other coaches it is kept at the Royal Mews when not in use, where it can be seen by the public. It was first used in 1988 to take The Queen to the State Opening of Parliament.^[2]