The Golden Carriage (Dutch: Gouden Koets) is a carriage owned and used by the Dutch royal family. Generally, the Golden Carriage is used yearly to bear the Dutch monarch from the Noordeinde Palace to the Ridderzaal in order to pronounce the Speech from the Throne. The carriage is made of teak wood, much of which is covered in gold leaf. It is decorated with paintings and symbolic ornaments. The carriage was built in Dutch Renaissance style. It is pulled by eight horses when the reigning monarch is riding therein; only six horses when other members of the royal family are travelling in the coach. Queen Wilhelmina wanted to be able to stand upright in the carriage, which explains the bent form of the carriage's roof. This increased height of the carriage has made the carriage more difficult to drive.
Read more about Golden Carriage: History
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