Details of the carriage for the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle announced

Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle have selected an Ascot Landau carriage for their procession through Windsor Town after their wedding on May 19th. There will be one horse-drawn carriage in the Carriage Procession from St George's Chapel, which will take the newly married couple through Windsor Town returning to Windsor Castle along the Long Walk. The carriage will be escorted by a travelling Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. Prince Harry and Ms Markle are very much looking forward to this short journey which they hope will be a memorable moment for everyone who has gathered together in Windsor to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day.

The carriage is one of five Ascot Landaus in the Royal Mews. Ascot Landaus are used for The Queen’s procession during the Royal Meeting at Ascot and also for other visits of an official nature. Two of the Ascot Landaus featured in the Carriage Procession for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding in 2011, carrying Prince Harry as the Best Man, Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids and Page Boys from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.  

The carriage will be pulled by Windsor Grey Horses. Windsor Grey horses play an important role in the ceremonial life of the Royal Family and the nation, and have been drawing the carriages of successive Monarchs and Members of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria's reign. 

This carriage and horses are housed at the Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace.

Notes to Editors

The Carriage Procession will begin at 1300hrs  along a route from St George's Chapel, leaving Windsor Castle via Castle Hill and processing through Windsor Town along the High Street, Sheet Street, Kings Road and Albert Road, returning to Windsor Castle along the Long Walk. 

In the event of severely wet weather, the couple will travel in the Scottish State Coach. In 1969 a completely new top was made and was given large glass windows and two transparent panels in the roof. The Coach is emblazoned with the royal arms for Scotland and the insignia of the Order of the Thistle, unlike all the other carriages, which bear the royal arms for England and the insignia of the Order of the Garter. It has gold upholstery.

The Royal Mews is part of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office and is run by the Crown Equerry. The Royal Mews houses 30 carriage horses and has 43 staff including liveried helpers, coachmen and chauffeurs. 

State Cars from the Royal Mews will also be used in the wedding, to transport Members of The Royal Family, the Bride and Bridal party. The State Car collection includes two Bentleys, three Rolls-Royces and three Daimlers.  We will provide details of these cars closer to the time.

There are two breeds of horses at the Royal Mews: Windsor Greys and Bays (the majority of which are Cleveland Bays). 

There are over 100 carriages in the Royal Mews collection, although not all of them are kept at Buckingham Palace.

All carriages and coaches are maintained by craftsmen in the Royal Mews. All the harnesses require regular cleaning and polishing, an activity undertaken by Royal Mews staff in addition to their other duties.