For the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the 1902 State Landau will once again be used. The carriage was custom made for King Edward VII in 1902 and is currently the most valuable piece in the Royal Mews (that includes automobiles too). Some three decades ago it was used to transport Prince Charles and Princess Diana after their wedding, and on April 29 it will again have the honor of carrying a couple or royal newlyweds.
Kate Middleton chose to come at the wedding as a commoner, in a limousine, and then leave the ceremony as a member of the royal family, in the 1902 State Landau. For a limo she chose the same Rolls-Royce Phantom VI that was attacked by student rioters when it carried prince Charles and his wife in December. She wanted the vehicle because of its large windows which can offer a better view of her to the public. The Rolls-Royce was a present for the Queen on her Silver Jubilee in 1977, offered by the luxury automaker itself.
In front of the newlyweds’ landau, a squadron from the Household Cavalry will be leading the way, and another squadron will be positioned behind it. Next will come two Ascot Landaus carrying the best man – Prince Harry – and the maid of honor – Pippa Middleton – together with their bridesmaids and page boys. The fourth carriage, a Semi-State Landau, will be designated for the Queen herself and for the Duke of Edinburgh. The final carriage, another Semi-State Landau, will be carrying Prince Charles, his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, and Mr. and Mrs. Middleton.
The whole procession will be a wonderful spectacle to admire, but the most awaited moment will be the one in which Prince William and Kate Middleton will appear on Buckingham Palace’s balcony to kiss in front of the nation (actually a crowd of about one million people).
