The Royal Mews

Why would a horse stable be called a “mews?” Originally, this was the home of the Royal falcons, and mewing referred to the shedding of the birds’ feathers. Today the Mews is the headquarters of the Crown Equerry—the motor pool for the Royal Family. (But doesn’t “Crown Equerry” sound so much better than “motor pool?”) This is where the Royal Family’s ceremonial coaches, limos, and horses are housed.

The Royal Family owns over 100 coaches and carriages and some of the most ornate are on display in the Royal Mews. For sheer opulence, check out the Gold State Coach. As the name implies, this coach is so heavily gold gilded it’s a wonder that the Royal horses can even pull it. This golden fairy tale coach has been used at every coronation since 1821. Slightly lower on the opulence scale is the Irish State Coach, used at the annual opening of Parliament and the Glass Coach that transported Lady Diana Spencer to St. Paul’s Cathedral to begin her star-crossed marriage to Prince Charles.

Children touring the Royal Mews may quickly conclude that once you’ve seen one golden coach, you’ve seen them all. Let’s see the horses! Since the Royal Family lives in luxury at Buckingham Palace, it’s hardly a surprise that the Royal horses’ quarters are none too shabby either. It doesn’t even smell like a stable. The Windsor Grey horses live in clean, bright stalls with tiled walls and each animal’s name is displayed on a prominent placard. During a visit to the Royal Mews, our daughter Laura was surprised to find she shared a name with one of the horses. To her this was a dubious honor—she would have rather met a royal prince than a royal horse.

The Royal Mews is also the Royal Garage, home to a fleet of Royal motor cars. The Mews has converted a number of limos to run on liquid petroleum gas as the Royal Family’s contribution to reducing London’s air pollution. But the official in charge of the Mews has the title Master of the Queen’s Horses, not Master of the Queen’s Rolls Royces, and it’s horses and carriages that most tourists come to see. The Mews is an agreeable attraction for most children, but if you are traveling with a young equestrian, the Mews is a “must see.”

Like the Tower of London, the Royal Mews is a historic sight that also serves as a home to some of the people who work there, so make sure your children look for the domestic touches during their visit.



The Royal Mews: "I'll take falconry for $200, Alex..." Why would a horse stable be called a “mews?” Originally, this was the home of the Royal falcons, and mewing referred to the shedding of the birds’ feathers. Today the Mews is the headquarters of the Crown Equerry—the motor pool for the Royal Family. (But doesn’t “Crown Equerry” sound so much better than “motor pool?”) This is where the Royal Family’s ceremonial coaches, limos, and horses are housed. The Royal Family owns over 100 coaches and carriages and some of the most ornate are on display in the Royal Mews. For sheer opulence, check out the Gold State Coach. As the name implies, this coach is so heavily gold gilded it’s a wonder that the Royal horses can even pull it. This golden fairy tale coach has been used at every coronation since 1821. Slightly lower on the opulence scale is the Irish State Coach, used at the annual opening of Parliament and the Glass Coach that transported Lady Diana Spencer to St. Paul’s Cathedral to begin her star-crossed marriage to Prince Charles. Children touring the Royal Mews may quickly conclude that once you’ve seen one golden coach, you’ve seen them all. Let’s see the horses! Since the Royal Family lives in luxury at Buckingham Palace, it’s hardly a surprise that the Royal horses’ quarters are none too shabby either. It doesn’t even smell like a stable. The Windsor Grey horses live in clean, bright stalls with tiled walls and each animal’s name is displayed on a prominent placard. During a visit to the Royal Mews, our daughter Laura was surprised to find she shared a name with one of the horses. To her this was a dubious honor—she would have rather met a royal prince than a royal horse. The Royal Mews is also the Royal Garage, home to a fleet of Royal motor cars. The Mews has converted a number of limos to run on liquid petroleum gas as the Royal Family’s contribution to reducing London’s air pollution. But the official in charge of the Mews has the title Master of the Queen’s Horses, not Master of the Queen’s Rolls Royces, and it’s horses and carriages that most tourists come to see. The Mews is an agreeable attraction for most children, but if you are traveling with a young equestrian, the Mews is a “must see.” Like the Tower of London, the Royal Mews is a historic sight that also serves as a home to some of the people who work there, so make sure your children look for the domestic touches during their visit.	Where?When?Ł? Royal Mews

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