The State Coach Britannia

I have been sent the following:

Around thirty years ago, Mr James Frecklington had been commissioned to build the Australian State Coach which was presented to the Queen in 1988 by the Australian government to celebrate the bicentennial of the landing of Captain James Cook in 1788.

He has now privately built a new State coach with modern touches, such as heating and electric windows and hydraulic suspension.

The Howard government controversially gave $250,000 towards the cost of the new multi-million-dollar coach.

The Royal Collection Trust has purchased the coach.

The Trust funds and administrates the Royal Collection which comprises artworks, antiques and other valuables owned in the name of the Queen. It raises funds from various fees and charges from tours of the palaces and art galleries and also runs the Royal gift shops.

The building of the coach was plagued with financial problems as it was privately funded, other than the $250,000 Australian government grant.

It was not considered appropriate in the light of the recession for the Australian government to put any more money into the construction or the transport of the coach.

We can only be delighted that such a magnificent and priceless but very operational artefact is now to be used by the Queen on such an important occasion as the State Opening of the British Parliament.

Whilst people are referring to the coach as the second Australian State Coach, that is not actually correct even though it was built by an Australian.

The coach is called, at least for the time being, the State Coach Britannia.