June 2, 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Just remembering staying up late with my family to watch the coronation in California with my mother and grandmother...aka Nana... on our tiny black and white TV...wrapped up in a blanket with hot chocolate and Union Jack bunting sent by relatives still in the UK.

I had a model sent by an aunt from the UK of the Royal coach and horses in plastic that my father helped me put together for the coronation....

wonder what happened to that?

 And one of my favorite things when in London is visiting the Royal Mews around the corner from the main Buckingham Palace Gates to see the coach...

So... congratulations Ma'am on another glorious year on the throne!

 Yesterday, June 1st at Epsom Downs race track for the Epsom Derby...

As our family affectionately says...

Well done Our Liz! 

 

The Royal Mews, the Royal Wedding video and Charles & Diana's Coach for William and Kate

Great video from the Royal Channel on YouTube from one of my favorite places in London to visit...The Royal Mews where Queen Elizabeth II keeps her horses and carriages just behind Buckingham Palace on Buckingham Palace Road. We love to stay in this area of London within walking distance of the front gates of Buck House, the Mews, Pall Mall, the Queen's Guard's Museum in St. Jame's Park and other great spots.

Photos of the Gold State coach from a visit when we were last in London which is over-the-top drop dead gorgeous:

The horses pulling the carriage are the Queen's Windsor Greys which aren't actually a special breed but are bred for color for the Queen's carriages. The mews is a fascinating place. You tour the enclosed courtyard, visit the stabling to see the horses if they are in town...we have only missed them when our visit was in August...view the tack room which is quite fun since we deal in a lot of horse brasses,

and then you get to tour all the coaches housed there from the Gold State Coach seen above to the Australian coach, the Glass Coach, the Rolls, and more. 

This is the 1902 State Landau that served for Prince Charles and Princess Diana's wedding and will also be used for Prince William and Kate's wedding next month and is seen above being readied for the wedding next month.


The Mail Online posted this story today about their choice of carriage:
Diana's Coach For Kate's Big Day


Lot's of fun news if you are interested in the wedding. We at Antiques And Teacups And Time Was Antiquescertainly are as we stock loads of English antiques and collectibles.