Kate Middleton to arrive at wedding venue in car damaged by protests

March 22nd, 2011 - 11:56 am ICT by ANI  

Prince William London, Mar 22 (ANI): Kate Middleton will arrive at Westminster Abbey on her wedding day next month in the same Rolls-Royce car that was attacked and damaged by student protesters last year.

The luxury car, targeted by an angry mob as it took Prince Charles and his second wife Camilla to a theatre, is now being repaired for Middleton’s big day, reports the BBC.

The newlyweds will then ride in the carriage used by Prince William’s parents after their wedding in 1981.

Prince Charles and Camilla were heading to the Royal Variety Performance in December when the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI limousine car was splattered with white paint and had a rear window cracked.

Crown Equerry Col Toby Browne revealed the news that the same car, presented to the Queen for her Silver Jubilee in 1977, was being used to take Middleton to the wedding venue.

He said the damage was not extensive and insisted repairs would be completed in time.

“One of the problems [is] it’s such a special car there are details that have to be reproduced and are not available off the shelf,” he said.

“The claret paint is specific to [all royal] cars and certain bits of glass had to be made, but it’s really a minor detail you won’t notice,” he added.

After the ceremony, she and Prince William will ride in an open-topped 1902 State Landau horse-drawn carriage for the procession back to Buckingham Palace, unless inclement weather leads them to use the famed “Glass Coach,” which has a fixed roof to keep rain at bay.

Royal Mews staff also revealed that after the ceremony, the Prince and Middleton would parade past crowds in an open-topped horse-drawn carriage as part of a Captain’s Escort mounted by the Household Cavalry.

The Prince and Princess of Wales used the 1902 State Landau when they drove from St Paul’s Cathedral to Buckingham Palace after their wedding.

However, if it is raining, they will use the ‘Glass Coach’, which has a permanent roof.

Six horses normally draw the 1902 State Landau, adorned with gold leaf and upholstered in crimson satin, but four will be used for next month’s royal wedding. (ANI)

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