Ascot Landaus and Barouches – the significance of the carriages used at Trooping The Colour

The annual Trooping The Colour parade is taking place at Horse Guards to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign.

Some members of The Royal Family are attending the event on horse back, with the Prince of Wales, Princess Royal and Duke of Edinburgh processing down The Mall on horses from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Whereas in previous years The King also took part in the procession on horse back, this year he has opted for a luxury Ascot Landau carriage.

Accompanied by Queen Camilla, His Majesty will travel through to the assembled crowds from his four-wheeled carriage – one of five kept by the Royal Mews.

Originally purchased during the reign of Queen Victoria, Ascot Landaus are often seen during state and semi state occasions such as State Visits, Trooping the Colour and Royal Weddings.

But as the name suggests, the Ascot Landaus are best known for their role in the carriage procession at Royal Ascot each year.

The Princess of Wales will also ride to this year’s Trooping procession in a Landau carriage.

Meanwhile, two Barouche carriages will be seen as part of the Trooping celebrations.

The Duchess of Edinburgh and Sir Tim Laurence are travelling to Horse Guards from Buckingham Palace in a Barouche, whilst the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will follow in another.

Barouches are a type of carriage first seen in London in the early nineteenth century. 

There are only two barouches at the Royal Mews, both of which were in use at Trooping The Colour.

The carriages are distinguished by the lightly elegant shape to the undercarriage of the body. 

Barouches display the royal insignia of a lion surmounting a crown, surrounded by the Collar of the Order of the Garter, on the door and rear panels. 

They are driven by a coachman with a pair of horses, the coachman’s box being lined in blue wool with silk braid with roses (England), thistles (Scotland) and shamrocks (Northern Ireland) woven into the trim. 

The barouches have been used for Trooping the Colour for over a hundred years.