World's Only Replica of England's Legandary Gold State Coach at the London Bridge Resort

By Elrose Dussault

The Gold Stage Coach at the London Bridge Resort in Lake Havasu was built in 1762 at the beginning of the reign of King George III.

The framework of the body consists of eight palm trees which, branching at their tops, support the roof. The four corner trees, each rising from the lion’s head, are loaded with trophies symbolizing the victories of Great Britain in the Seven Years War, a war that ended just before the coach was completed.

The body is slung by braces covered in Moroccan leather and ornamented with gilt buckles held by four tritons. The two front figures draw the coach – cables attached to cranes are stretched over their shoulders – and they proclaim the approach of the Monarch of the Ocean through conches used as horns. The rear figures carry the Imperial Faces topped with tridents.

On the center of the roof stand three cherubs representing the Genii of England, Scotland and Ireland. These support the Royal Crown and hold in their hands the Scepter, the Sword of the State and the Ensign of Knighthood, respectively. Their bodies are draped with festoons of laurel, which fall to the four corners of the roof. Among the many minor features are the driver’s footboard in the shape of a large scallop shell ornamented with bunches of reeds; the pole, representing bundles of laces; the splinter bar composed of rich molding issuing from beneath a large voluted shell with each end terminating in a dolphin’s head; and the wheels imitated those of an ancient triumphal car.

The coach is gilded all over. It is 24 feet long, 8 feet 3 inches wide and 12 feet high; the pole is 12 feet 4 inches long and the total weight is 4 tons.

The State Coach is adorned on the sides, front and back with panels painted by Giovanni Battista Cipriani, a Florentine historical painter and engraver. The Coach has been used for every coronation since that of King George III and until recent years was generally used by the sovereign to open the new session of Parliament.