[News Figures] Jim Frecklington Who Made the Charles III Coronation Carriage

Australian Carpenter Who Helped Manufacture the Queen's Royal Carriage
10 Years of Production... Crafted by 50 Artisans
Pieces of Nightingale's Dress, Wood from Newton's Apple Tree
Over 100 Items Reflecting British History Created

The coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom is set to take place on the 6th of next month (local time), and detailed information about the coronation robes and carriages to be used was revealed on the 9th. The coronation is a ceremony in which the crown is placed on the heir to the throne to officially proclaim their accession both domestically and internationally.

According to the coronation plan announced by Buckingham Palace, the king and queen will travel to Westminster Abbey in London, where the coronation will be held, riding in a modernized carriage that boasts a comfortable ride. After the coronation, the royal couple will parade approximately 2.1 km for about 30 minutes in the 'Gold State Coach.'

The Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which will be used in the 'King's Procession,' was made in Australia in 2012 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession. According to British daily newspapers such as the Daily Mail, the carriage was designed by carpenter Jim Frecklington (73), and 50 carriage-making artisans spent 10 years building it. Jim Frecklington is said to have assisted the British royal family by caring for the queen’s horses and helping manufacture the queen’s state carriages.

Carriage 'Diamond Jubilee State Coach' Photo by Wikipedia·Jordiferrer

The reason the carriage took 10 years to make is also related to securing the budget for its construction. Jim Frecklington even mortgaged his home in Sydney to fund the carriage’s production and received some loan support from the Australian government. This led to opposition among some Australians who questioned why an artisan was bearing the cost of making the carriage, causing further delays in its production. Currently, the carriage was purchased entirely with private donations by the British Royal Collection Trust.

The carriage, completed after many twists and turns, measures 5.5 meters in length and weighs 3 tons. It is equipped with heating and cooling systems, electric windows, and the latest suspension technology, and it was made using over 100 items that embody British history. The gold crown on the carriage roof was made in the 18th century, carved from the oak of HMS Victory, which Admiral Nelson once used as his flagship, and thinly overlaid with gold leaf.

It is also decorated with relics symbolizing British and Commonwealth history, including wood panels from Henry VIII’s Mary Rose, which sank in 1545, wood from Isaac Newton’s apple tree, pieces of Florence Nightingale’s dress, lead shot and window frames used in the Battle of Waterloo. These materials are said to have been sourced from the Prime Minister’s residence and historic churches. This carriage was first used during the Queen’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament in 2014.

Sally Gooder, a curator at the Royal Collection Trust, which manages the British royal residences and artworks, explained in an interview with the BBC, “Unlike most royal carriages made of wood, the Diamond Jubilee State Coach is made of aluminum. It also features hydraulic suspension, providing an unbelievably smooth ride.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.